Sinners (Ryan Coogler, 2025, USA/Australia/Canada)

A surprise breakout hit of 2025, Ryan Coogler’s Sinners is unique not only for the fact that it was a critical and commercial success, but also for the fact that it is an entirely original idea. In a year for Warner Bros. that included similar “original” successes such as Weapons and One Battle After Another, Sinners is also standing out for its award nominations coming into the Oscars. Heavily inspired by From Dusk Till Dawn, Sinners is a period-set vampire film that takes place largely in a single location. In many respects, the fact that the film is a genre movie should not be surprising. Horror seems to be the sole genre via which young and up-and-coming directors can make their stamp in Hollywood over the last decade or so (see Ari Aster, Robert Eggers, Jordan Peele).

Ryan Coogler has already tried his hand at major superhero movies and genre tentpoles, so it makes sense that he would want to explore the genre. Interestingly, the genre component of the film is largely absent for the entire first half of the movie. I have heard some people mention that they forgot that the film was a horror movie at all due to this. The film looks great, and Michael B. Jordan playing dual roles is a novel touch.

Sinners has some plot incoherencies, but it is a fun ride overall. Is the film overrated in the context of awards season? Of course, so, but we should let it slide for an original film. The fact that the film performed so well commercially indicates that audiences still have an appetite for original stories, which should hearten anyone who believes that film as a medium is dying. Overall, Sinners is not revolutionary but a decent slice of genre fun that is anchored by some great technical work.  

7/10