Ryan Coogler’s new film, “Sinners” was released in theaters on April 18. The movie stars many well-known celebrities such as Hailee Steinfeld, Omar Benson Miller, and one of the film’s main characters, Micheal B. Jordan.
The movie is a supernatural horror film set in the 1930s in the southern United States. Jordan plays a set of twins, Elijah “Smoke” and Elias “Stack,” who return to their hometown after serving in World War I and becoming gangsters in Chicago. They aim to open a juke joint but soon are shocked by a terrifying supernatural threat.
Coogler collaborated closely with Jordan to authentically portray the twin bond, bringing in real-life twins Noah and Logan Miller as consultants to inform Jordan’s dual performance. Playing twins seems like a difficult task especially when both twins tend to need to be in frame at the same time and this task requires a certain type of skill to be able to do.
This of course is not Coogler’s and Jordan’s first time working together, as Coogler produced hit films such as the “Creed” trilogy and “Black Panther.”
The film intertwines elements of Black mythology, blues music and historical context, offering a rich tapestry that critiques cultural appropriation and celebrates Black artistry. Also, the movie delves into the historical and cultural context of the Jim Crow era while also incorporating supernatural elements, including vampires. It explores themes of race, freedom and the power of music.
Coogler is known for his great eye when directing and producing. “Sinners” was filmed in Ultra Panavision 70 (65mm film with anamorphic lenses, 2.76:1 aspect ratio) and IMAX 70mm (1.43:1 aspect ratio). This makes “Sinners” the first movie to be released in both formats simultaneously.
Coogler has always been a director who puts his all in his work and his films reflect on all that hard work he puts in. Coogler’s choice of Jordan as the main character was an excellent decision. Jordan had been on an acting hiatus for about two years but most likely during that time he was filming “Sinners,” which definitely took a toll on him by acting as two people.
“Sinners” has been applauded for its innovative combination of historical realism and horror. Critics praise its emotional depth, cultural richness and genre-blending storytelling. Spike Lee described the film as “the greatest experience” he’s had in a theater in years, highlighting its deep cultural impact and the filmmakers’ connection to their ancestors.
The movie has already received a 97% on Rotten Tomatoes and critics are already calling it the film movie of the year. The film while be playing in theaters and is available in select IMAX 70mm formats. As someone who is a huge fan of how Coogler’s mind works when it comes to his films and even more of a bigger fan of Jordan’s work, the movie is a must see for me and not to speak for others. Everyone should see “Sinners” in theaters.
