āSinnersā is one of the earliest blockbusters of 2025, and for good reason. The fifth collaboration between director Ryan Coogler and actor Michael B Jordan is also their most ambitious yet, as the ladder plays a pair of twin brothers who battle supernatural forces while opening up a new juke joint in Jim Crow era Mississippi. Below, see five spoiler-free reasons why you should see the movie (and donāt leave until the screen is completely Black).
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Itās Three Movies In One
āSinnersā is essentially three genres in one, and if you leave early, youāll miss the brilliant way that director Ryan Coogler brings everything together. The first half of the film is essentially a Jim Crow era western, a period piece that finds twin brothers Smoke and Stack bustling around the Mississippi Delta to plan the grand opening for their juke joint. But in the time that follows, the movie blooms into even more: itās a supernatural horror film, with characters wielding wooden stakes and garlic to fight bloodthirsty vampires, and a musical, with the blues working as both a narrative motif and as the filmās sonic heartbeat.
That incredible ode to Black music
In the trailer for āSinners,ā a voiceover of one its characters describes a legend of musiciansā whose gifts are so powerful that they can āconjure spirits from the past and future.ā In this film, those capabilities are bestowed to Sammie, the son of a preacher who leads a small church in Mississippi. He has a stirring voice, no doubt ā and thereās one moment where viewers get to see his celestial talents at work. Itās one of the biggest surprises in a film thatās full of them: a wonderful showcase of Sammieās voice, an impressive display of expert editing and cinematography, and a beautiful ode to to the intergenerational power of music.
The ambitious usage of IMAX cameras
Ahead of the theatrical release of āSinners,ā a video was released online that gave Ryan Coogler a chance to break down the different types of film that were used in the creation of the movie. The video is admittedly a little inside baseball, but long story short, āSinnersā is the first movie thatās shot in two different camera systems ā a creative approach that particularly shines in IMAX theaters. The screen expands vertically for the filmās most scenic moments, while it narrows into a wide screen for its most intense, intimate scenes. The result is a film that feels technically adventurous, and seeing the aspect ratios change in real time offers a sense of anticipation for whatās next.
Give the movie the consideration it deserves
āSinnersā is lots of fun its share of laughs, lust, and action to keep viewers on the edges of their seats. But itās also sure to send viewers home with things to think about. The film and its characters have a lot to say about Black creativity, spirituality, allyship, freedom, and individuality. Its themes have had viewersā group chats and social media feeds buzzing nonstop since opening night, and thatāll remain the case for a while.
Post-credit scenes
This isnāt a superhero movie, but Coogler still has a couple of tricks up his sleeve to reveal as the credits roll. So if you havenāt seen it yet, sit tight; and if you havenāt, it might be time to head back to the theatre for a second viewing. Thereās a satisfying mid-credits scene that takes place 60 years after the events of the film, reuniting some of its characters for an epilogue that brings satisfying closure to its story. Thereās also a post-credits scene at the very end that showcases Sammie playing a song on his beloved guitar, a moment that has deeper meaning after all that transpired in the film beforehand.
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