“Sinners,” written and directed by Ryan Coogler, is a Southern Gothic horror film set in 1932 in the Mississippi Delta. It stars Michael B. Jordan in dual roles as twin brothers Elijah “Smoke” Moore and Elias “Stack” Moore, World War I veterans returning home from Chicago to build a future together. They invest in an old sawmill to open a juke joint serving the local Black community, inviting family and friends to help bring their dream to life. On opening night, some uninvited guests turn the party into a bloodbath. In the aftermath, only a few survive: Smokeand their cousin Sammie (Miles Caton) make it through, while Stack, other loved ones, and community members are lost. Sammie escapes and later builds a legacy as a celebrated blues musician. A post‑credits reveal suggests that Stack and Mary (Hailee Steinfeld) survive as vampires—and offer Sammie immortality, which he rejects.
Overall Thoughts
While Sinners is clearly rich with symbolism and artistic ambition, it didn’t quite draw me in on that deeper level. The film feels like it wants to be studied and unpacked—but I didn’t walk away with the urge to do so. Despite its beautiful cinematography and a few standout sequences, moments that were likely intended to be powerful often came across as forced or even unintentionally corny. I went in hoping for a gripping, emotionally resonant story, but it never fully clicked for me. This might be the kind of film that benefits from a second watch or some outside reading to appreciate its layers—but honestly, I’m not sure I’m motivated to go back. Sinners is entertaining and visually striking, and I can see how others might find a lot to chew on. But for me, it ultimately felt more self-serious than impactful—thoughtful in design, but a little too goofy in execution to really land.
Vampires as Cultural Thieves
The most “on-the-nose” theme of the film centers around the idea that the white vampires don’t just suck the blood of the Black characters—they also consume their culture. They take their music and their language. They’re cultural parasites, drawn not just to bodies but to Black expression, joy, and creativity. They sneak into the juke joint like predators at a feast—drawn by Sammie’s song, and cloaked in false admiration.
Was Immortality Better Than Reality?
There’s an unsettling question buried in the story: was becoming a vampire actually worse than staying human? When life is so brutal and restricted, is losing your soul really a worse fate than living out your reality? The film doesn’t answer this cleanly. I don’t recall any characters choosing transformation, but the ones who are turned seem to embrace it almost immediately. Maybe it isn’t so bad? Sammie escapes and survives—as a witness, not just to the violence, but to the cost of power without integrity.
A Commentary on Religion
Sammie is a central figure in the story, and we see him wrestle with whether to follow his father and remain in the church, or to step away and pursue music on his own terms. It’s suggested to him that he could do both—after all, there’s plenty of music in the church. But that’s not what he wants. He’s not just looking for music—he’s looking for artistic freedom. He wants to create something of his own. This felt like a deeply personal thread, one that many creative people can relate to. And to me, it raised the most thought-provoking question of the film: what does it mean that Sammie rejected religion—refused to drop the guitar—but was also the only one to keep his soul? He doesn’t become a vampire. He doesn’t conform. He resists the life that all of his friends have, in one way or another, “chosen.” But he also refuses to abandon his integrity. He stays true to his art, and he survives because of it—not just physically, but spiritually. That’s how I interpreted Sammie’s story: not as a rejection of values, but as a different kind of faith. One rooted in self-truth, artistic purpose, and the power of carrying your own story forward.
Conclusion
Sinners is a film that aims high—blending horror, history, and symbolism. It didn’t fully land for me, but I keep coming back to Sammie’s refusal to be absorbed and his quiet commitment to staying true to himself. The awkward generational dance scene and the ham-fisted ending sequence in Chicago made me cringe—but even so, I’m still thinking about the weight of Sammie’s choices and what they mean. Maybe that’s the takeaway: stay true to yourself. Enjoy what life offers, but don’t lose yourself in the pleasure or the promise of more.