Ryan Coogler Archives - Sean Kelly On Movies

A Mississippi juke joint finds itself attacked by a clan of vampires in Sinners. In 1932, twin brothers Elijah "Smoke" Moore and Elias "Stack" Moore (both played by Michael B. Jordan) return home to the Mississippi Delta after spending many years in Chicago. Using money stolen from Chicago gangs, the Smokestack Twins purchase a rundown sawmill and plan to turn it into a juke joint, featuring a blues band led by their younger cousin Sammie Moore (Miles Caton), with the help of pianist Delta Slim (Delroy Lindo) and singer Pauline (Jayme Lawson). While preparing for the night, Smoke and Stack are also reunited with their estranged lovers Annie (Wunmi Mosaku) and Mary (Hailee Steinfeld), respectively. As the juke gets underway, Sammie's blues guitar playing unleashes a supernatural aura that transcends time. This attracts the attention of the vampire Remmick (Jack O'Connell) and his two recently turned acquaintances Bert (Peter Dreimanis) and Joan (Lola Kirke), who arrive pretending to be a bluegrass trio. It isn't long until the vampires multiply and surround the building, leading to a standoff. Sinners Synopsis Sinners is a vampire horror film written and directed by Ryan Coogler (Creed, Black Panther), set within the Jim Crow era of the Southern United States. Coogler's regular lead star, Michael B. Jordan, plays the dual role of the Smokestack Twins Eliajah and Elias. The film also stars Hailee Steinfeld (True Grit, Bumblebee) as Stack's jilted lover, Mary, a character referencing Steinfeld's multiracial heritage, Wunmi Mosaku (Deadpool & Wolverine) as Smoke's estranged wife Annie, who is immensely superstitious, and Delroy Lindo (Da 5 Bloods) as pianist Delta Slim. The ensemble is also joined by newcomer Miles Caton as the twins' Blues guitarist cousin Sammie, who opens up the film by interrupting the sermon of his priest father by arriving all bloodied, carrying the remains of his guitar. The plot then rewinds back one day, as Sammie is helping out the Smokestack Twins open up their new juke joint. While never fully explained outside of the opening narration, Sammie's guitar playing carries some sort of supernatural power. While this power can summom spirits from the past and future, it is also able to attract evil forces. My Thoughts on Sinners The plot of Sinners is heavily reminiscent of Robert Rodriguez's From Dusk Till Dawn, right down to the fact that the film doesn't become a horror film until the film's second half, when a clan of vampires led by Remmick, played by Jack O'Connell ('71, Ferrari), are attracted to the Smokestack Twins' juke joint by Sammie's music. While the film doesn't delve too deeply into the power of Sammie's guitar playing, it is a reference to the urban legend of real-life Blues guitarist Robert Johnson, who was said to have gained his musical ability by selling his soul at the crossroads. Indeed, the title of Sinners is in reference to the protagonists of the film receiving retribution for their sinful actions. While Sinners is very much a horror film, with some extremely bloody violence, it can also be, in a strange way, considered a musical. This includes Sammie's purposely anachronistic blues performance, which utilizes instruments and musicians from across different eras. However, even the clan of vampires get their musical numbers, which includes the casting of actor/musician Lola Kirke (Gone Girl) and Peter Dreimanis of the band July Talk. While it would be a spoiler to say who he's playing, Sinners also features a cameo by Blues legend Buddy Guy. I don't want to delve too much further into the plot of Sinners, especially since the trailers for already spoiled a bit too much, including revealing some of the cast members who get turned into vampires. However, I wouldn't say that the trailer spoilers ultimately affected my enjoyment of the film. I do have to make note that in a month full of dual roles, with other recent examples being Mickey 17 and The Alto Knights, Michael B. Jordan's performances as both Smoke and Stack are among the best. Apart from dressing in corresponding blue and red colour schemes, Jordan gives each twin a distinctive personality, with Smoke being more level-headed, yet violent, while Stack is portrayed as a fun-loving gangster up for a good time. Smoke also has the added emotional layer of having lost a child, which is what caused his separation from Alice. Sinners continues to prove how versatile Ryan Coogler is as both a filmmaker and in his working relationship with Michael B. Jordan. In just over a decade, Coogler has progressed from the drama of Fruitvale Station, the Rocky legacy sequel Creed, and the superhero action of Black Panther. Now exploring horror with Sinners, Ryan Coogler is demonstrating his ability to create black-focused stories in multiple different contexts. Even without a race element, Sinners is just one mighty entertaining vampire film.

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