Sinners (2025) Movie Review

Sinners (2025) Movie Review

Ryan Coogler has become one of Hollywood’s most reliable filmmakers. Dancing between thought-provoking indie films with Fruitvale Station, to character dramas like ‘Creed’ and studio mega blockbusters like ‘Black Panther’ and its 2022 sequel ‘Wakanda Forever’. He has created some of the best cinema going experiences of all time. I have been lucky enough, to see all of his efforts behind the camera on the big-screen and hold each of those cinema trips to a high-standard. When it was announced he would be doing an original, horror movie in 2025, I was ecstatic. His film Sinner’s was my most anticipated film of 2025 and for good reason. The film has become a massive success, grossing more than $357 million at the worldwide box office, with more than $272 million coming from the US, with the film about to crack the top five highest grossing horror films of all time. The film also holds a very impressive certified fresh rating of 96% and audience score of 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, with it being unanimously praised and one of the rare occasions where both audience and critics agree.

The films follows twin brothers Smoke and Stack Moore (both played by Michael B. Jordan) who return to their hometown of Clarksdale after years working for the Chicago Outfit. Hoping to start anew, they use stolen mob money to open a juke joint for the local Black community. They’re joined by their musically gifted cousin Sammie (Miles Caton), whose preacher father (Delroy Lindo) warns that blues music invites dark forces. As the juke joint thrives, Sammie’s transcendent music begins to draw supernatural attention. A centuries-old Irish vampire named Remmick (Jack O’Connell) arrives, turning local Klansmen into his thralls. The town becomes a battleground between the living and the undead. As the vampires close in, the brothers must confront their past sins and make impossible choices to protect their community. ‘Sinners’ is without a doubt, the best film I have seen in 2025 so far.

Ryan Coogler creates a new vision of vampires here that we haven’t seen before. Whilst taking concepts from John Carpenter’s ‘Vampires’, Kathryn Bigalow’s ‘Near Dark’ and Robert Rodriguez’s ‘From Dusk Til Dawn’, Coogler uses these concepts to his advantage, creating a wholly original vampire horror. The film feels like a western, blended seamlessly with a horror film, with Coogler using his character-focused writing, to create memorable characters that are all given a moment to shine. He uses natural lighting and the setting of the deep south, to create a realistic feeling horror film, with atmosphere to spare. This is emphasised through the amazing cinematography from director of photography Autumn Durald Arkapaw, who worked with Coogler on Wakanda Forever in 2022. Coogler’s dedication to film also adds to the aesthetic of the film, making it feel grittier and more terrifying. Coogler blends drama, social themes and horror very well here, I can’t wait to see what else he does in the genre. A special shoutout to the amazing score and soundtrack. Ludwig Goransson continues to impress as a composer, re-teaming again with Coogler after working together on Creed, Black Panther and Wakanda Forever. Some of the musical sequences here are highlights of the film for me and that is thanks to Goransson.

The cast here are also fantastic. Michael B. Jordan steals the show in his dual role as Smoke and Stack, the Smokestack twins. He plays both roles very differently, giving both brothers their own distinct characteristics and personalities. The subtle differences between the two in the first half of the film in particular, make their dynamic as the events of the film escalate in the third act. It’s a performance that is worthy of an Oscar nomination, and given the success of the film, it will be hard for the Academy to overlook this one, even if it is a horror movie. The supporting cast are also amazing, young Miles Caton steals many of his scenes as Sammie Moore, musical prodigy and cousin to Smoke and Stack. He’s fantastic here. The other supporting members, Hailee Steinfeld, Delroy Lindo, Omar Benson Miller, Wunmi Mosaku and Jack O’Connell. O’Connell in particular deserves major props. He plays the lead vampire Remmick here, and is quite menacing, but also charming. He has to do a lot here and he is truly impressive in the film. He isn’t your typical villain, and because his backstory is kept so vague, O’Connell has to do a lot here to sell the audience on who he is and what he is trying to achieve. The cast are a real strength here, with Sinners proving once again the Academy needs to recognise casting directors at the Oscars, because Francine Maisler has assembled one of the best ensembles in recent years.

‘Sinners’ is the exact type of films Hollywood needs right now. Bursting at the seams with style and substance, Ryan Coogler once again proves himself to be one of the most talented and innovative filmmakers and storyteller out there. Michael B. Jordan delivers a fantastic turn in a dual role here as well. Jack O’Connell also reasserts himself as a talent to watch, giving a startling turn as a memorable villain. The score is great; the musical sequences are memorable and impactful. The films first half is definitely stronger than its last, but the culmination of its slow build makes the ending oh so satisfying. I had a ball with this one and would recommend seeing it on the big screen. Sinners is available on DVD, Blu-Ray and 4K Ultra HD in July, be sure to pre-order your copy today from Sanity, you won’t want to miss out on this gem!

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Christopher Pattison from Oz-Movie Geek wrote this blog post for Sanity. See more from Chris here.