Sinners

Sinners

Released April 18, 2025

Written and Directed by Ryan Coogler

* No Spoilers *

Sinners is great throughout but it is a testament to how the last few minutes can elevate a movie to excellence. What an incredible exclamation point to an already complex, exciting, and wonderfully directed period-horror-drama from genius director Ryan Coogler.

A master of his craft, Cooler presents a deep and layered film that is from a “black” horror movie. Sinners defies genre. It’s opening act is a powerful historical character drama dismantling Jim Crow era America, it’s middle arc is a tense and beautiful exploration of music and the transcendence of art, ultimately building to its third act, a From Dusk Till Dawn inspired action horror film. If that is all we got I would have been satisfied, but the powerful paradigm shift of its conclusion is an epic and powerful mic drop. The way Coogler flips the perspective on true on monstrosity, power, and freedom, left me smiling ear-to-ear while also on the verge of tears. So many incredible story elements carefully laid out from the very start all converging simultaneously with a towering wave of emotion. Pure cinema.

This is what the industry needs, original stories that offer the base thrills to attract an audience, while also delivering hard hitting themes with masterful execution. 

9/10 - I wish I got the chance to see this in IMAX and I am absolutely buying this on 4K Bluray

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Brief notes after my rewatch in IMAX:

So glad I got the chance to see this in IMAX! The taller aspect ratio scenes are breathtaking, and the already hypnotic midpoint music sequence felt transcendent. I knew the music and sound mix was incredible but this is by far the best sound design of the year. The way conversations are isolated, the overlay of effects, and just how much is told through sound brilliantly matches the thematic underpinnings about the power of music. 

The story is even better experiencing it a second time. So many beautiful payoffs are set up early on, and the way Coogler builds these threads throughout is so damn effective. I loved the suspense and constantly guessing on the first watch, but on a rewatch you really get to enjoy how well designed those bait and switch moments are. 

I love this movie and the rewatch solidified it as my favourite of the year so far!

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