SINNERS- Rhythm, Rituals, and Rites of Passage.

COOGLER. That’s the caption. When you hear that name in the recent film arena, you automatically picture a hooded guru waltzing his way into the ring with a shimmering robe and “goat” labeled boxing gloves. K.O. is the outcome. The Fruitvale Station, Creed and Black Panther director totes a heavy hook in the current black film industry. Thus, giving an early bird high expectation on his latest work, Sinners. Whether it’s his creative storytelling, or the eye candy physique of his friend and favorite leading man, Michael B. Jordan: riding with Coogler is riding in the front seat of a deep messaged screenplay of fright, fight, and flight. Seatbelts don’t make the final cut.

The film takes place in the early 1930s. Identical twins and WWI veterans “Smoke” and “Stack” (portrayed by Michael B. Jordan) return to the South (Mississippi Delta) after years in Chicago working for the mob. Using money stolen from gangsters, they purchase a sawmill from racist landowner Hogwood to start a juke joint for the local black community. Their cousin “Sammie” (portrayed by Miles Caton), an aspiring guitarist, joins them despite opposition from his pastor father, who warns that Blues music is “the devil”. When Sammie decides to ignore his father’s warning and play music for his cousins’ joint, a whole lot of history, happenings, oh and HELL breaks loose.

Storyline: 5/5

From the southern post-war setting…to the gold teeth…to Michael B. Jordan giving me impure thoughts about twin brothers (lol), the bones of the story were good and gritty. The mix of subliminal messages, suspense, mystery and mayhem was a smooth serving, and I loved how I felt pulled into a biopic, old country western, romance, murder mystery, and a horror flick all at the same time. With just the right pinches of comedy sprinkled on all of the grit. Still wondering if the man that got shot in the booty survived.

Screenplay: 4/5

From the very first scene, you didn’t feel “forced” to have to pay extra attention to understand the plot. Each scene gave just enough information to keep you curious, but not too much that you could easily guess how the story ends. However, I did feel that some of the scenes and dialogue were “extra stuffing”. Like some of the vampire scenes were a hint of “cringy”. Perhaps it was the pace of the action that didn’t match the expression of some of the actors. I could be wrong, because I was too focused on Jordan’s fine a–… never mind.

Characters: 5/5

When I say EVERY SINGLE actor was perfectly casted in their role…baby. Everybody had a job, and they did what they were supposed to do honey. My personal favs? The legendary Mr. Delroy Lindo (give him his Hollywood star!) and one of my favorite film jewels, Wunmi Mosaku. Lindo’s witty and charismatic etiquette was much needed to balance the “darkness” of the film. Mosaku’s portrayal of a hoodoo priestess was well played. Quiet. Discerning. Barely married because she was “too woke to keep sleep” lol. Oh, but Smoke wasn’t going nowhere. New actor Miles Caton cast as the green, naive, pure hearted blues singer did an amazing job as well. Also, I’m sure I’m not the first to say this…but Omar Benson Miller (cast as “Cornbread”) is giving “Forest Whitaker Jr.” all damn day! That’s a compliment.

Graphics: 5/5

Sharp, sinister, and gore galore. The coloring, lighting, and contrast was perfect and moody. The action, fight, and vampire scenes were perfectly brutal, realistic, and eye soring as they should have been. The cinematography of Coogler was unique as usual. I loved the scene of Delta Slim (Delroy Lindo) telling the story of his friend being lynched, while the SOUND of the horror (instead of the visual) played in the background. Very creative. The film shot on IMAX cameras was such a dope experience in the theater. I felt like I was in the juke joint fighting for my life too, lol.

For me, Sinners was a high-stake flick because as a film AND Coogler fan, I knew to expect the subliminal. As I personally interpret, Jordan’s twin characters “Smoke” and “Stack” were a sure shot depiction of “good” and “evil”, “light” and “dark”, or “divine” and “karmic”. One brother killed their father (blood on his hands and needing grace) while the other brother was asleep (innocent, naive and needing protection). However sometimes… the people you love are the people you can’t save. “Sammie” was a clear depiction of “conscience” (the power of decisions); Making the choice to use his gifts came with a price, temptations, attacks, and lessons learned (face scar included). “Mary” represented “religion”, while “Annie” represented “spirituality”. Also “past” and “present”, and “attachment” and “assignment”. Let’s just say the twins had ties to both…but did not PROPERLY dismiss, balance, or border one for the other. My people, let that sink in. The vampires for me represented “the system”, theft, temptation, and control. Choose ye this day whom ye shall serve. There were so many more messages that I read but I think I’ve pulled some good ones here. GO AND WATCH asap. Most definitely not for the kids, but a very good convo starter with family and friends. -Ngozi The Blessed