Writer/Director: Ryan Coogler
Starring: Michael B. Jordan, Hailee Steinfield and Jack O’ Connell
‘A Meaningful Period Piece’
Brothers are powerful figures that play roles in shaping families’ futures. Everyone can recall memories of brothers they regard with affection. As precious as the kingdom of Wakanda, brothers shape families in the modern era. On a personal level, I find bonds between brothers to be relatable. During my childhood, I formed bonds with a brother that loved playing soccer in the neighbourhood. Born to be an athlete, his powerful feet would lead teams to victories rather than defeat. Adopting a powerful creed, he was determined to achieve victories in a game where he was guaranteed to succeed. Having the physique of a warrior, he would enjoy playing soccer every week. It didn’t take long before I bonded with a brother whose love for soccer I deeply appreciated. I would often marvel in astonishment at his strong commitment to succeed in every soccer tournament. When life pushed me aside, he became an inspiring guide in whom I could easily confide. However, responsibility of school brought our strong bond to a closure. When time came for him to graduate, I was forced to separate from a brother I appreciate. Focused on university success, he had less time to spend with family causing stress. Under academic pressure, he lost interest in soccer. As he sought studies with commitment, our bond became distant. It broke my heart to part way with a brother that held a place in my heart. Several years later, I treasure fond memories of a brother that sought to be a sports player.
Few films I’ve ever seen have captured the bonds between brothers as powerfully as “Sinners”. Released in 2025, Ryan Coogler’s movie captured African-American brothers. Packed with bold set-design, engaging storytelling and strong acting, it’s one of the best movies of the year. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance from Michael B. Jordan, who embodies twin brothers facing tension. Ultimately, what makes “Sinners” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a message about racism which would resonate with everyone. A riveting masterpiece about brothers, there are many reasons why “Sinners” is worth seeing.
Set in 1930’s Mississippi, “Sinners” tells the story of two twin brothers that are torn apart by tragedy. Michael B. Jordan plays Smoke, a rebellious gangster with dreams of opening bars in his hometown. Assisted by his compassionate twin brother Stack, Smoke opens up a musical bar in his home city. However, Smoke’s dreams of success are threatened when his bar is attacked by frightening vampires causing disaster. Faced with a frightening dilemma, Smoke questions whether he and his brother will ever be able to find belonging in America.
Ryan Coogler is fascinated with themes of brotherhood. His groundbreaking comic-book film “Black Panther” honoured an iconic comic-book hero with African-American culture. With “Sinners”, however, Coogler created his first period piece. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture racism faced by brothers in 1930’s Mississippi but he succeeded tremendously. Using captivating cinematography, Coogler captures a pair of brothers seeking to discover their identity in war-torn Mississippi. Evoking Spike Jonze’s “Adaptation”, Coogler uses captivating montages capturing bonds between twin brothers pursuing success in the same profession. For instance, montages elevate the car ride scene. During this unforgettable scene, Smoke and Stack have a nostalgia conversation about their childhood growing up in Mississippi. It brought back fond memories of a brother that loved playing soccer shaping his identity. Montages are tricky techniques. As “Creed” suggested, montages elevate boxing movies. Nevertheless, it works in this movie. Through stunning visuals, Coogler captures tensions that a pair of brothers are experiencing.
Another admirable aspect of “Sinners” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, it’s the most impressive movie you will see this year. Inspired by Steven Spielberg’s “The Colour Purple”, Coogler uses the production of a bar to capture bonds between brothers. Throughout the movie, the juke joint plays a pivotal role capturing strong bonds between Smoke and Stack. For instance, the set-design of the juke joint elevates the song scene. During this unforgettable scene, Sammie sings a memorable melody in the juke joint where Smoke and Stack bond together. It reminded me of my powerful relationship with a brother whose love for playing soccer I always appreciated. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Ludwig Goransson’s commemorated music is key to the film’s success. It gives the film a tense atmosphere capturing the painful burden that twin brothers bear. Through strong production-design, Coogler demonstrates the hardships of African-American brothers that experience a decline.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Sinners” is a movie that’s compelling. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses silence to capture broken bonds between brothers affected by violence. Coogler’s screenwriting strength is his abilities to capture tensions between brothers through silence. Evoking Martin Scorsese’s “Raging Bull”, Coogler uses stunning sequences of silence to capture the broken relationships between brothers. For instance, silence elevates the death scene. During this heartbreaking scene, Smoke is emotionally devastated when he discovers his brother has become an evil vampire that’s conflicted. Through silence, Coogler captures hardships that brothers go through. It reminded me of my grief when my brother departed for university causing our relationship to become deteriorated. Silence is a tricky technique to use in movies. As Steven Spielberg’s “Schindler’s List” suggested, silence elevates historical movies about the Holocaust. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through a spectacular screenplay, Coogler captures broken relationships between brothers that experience a price to pay.
One appreciates astonishing performances.
Michael B. Jordan delivers one of his best career performances as Smoke/Stack. Jordan first earned appreciation for playing victims of police brutality. With “Sinners”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray twin brothers that share a strong bond in Mississippi. It’s often tricky for actors to play two characters at the same time in a movie, but Jordan succeeded tremendously. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, bravery and resentments of an African-American facing broken family relations. It’s a fantastic performance from one of the most commemorated actors working today.
While the film is mainly a stunning showcase for Michael B. Jordan, the supporting cast is also worthy of appreciation. Miles Catton is magnificent, capturing determination of a black musician that seeks to overcome discrimination. Hailee Steinfeld is spectacular, bringing mystery to a woman that becomes a vampire causing catastrophe. Lastly, Delroy Lindo merits appreciation. As a traumatized veteran, he brings heartfelt emotion to the movie.
Finally, “Sinners” would earn everyone’s appreciation for capturing the bonds between brothers. Unlike most movies about vampires, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. It discusses universal themes including identity, culture and racism which would resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with African-American history to appreciate it. Therefore, “Sinners” is one of those rare movies about brothers everyone will adore.
Fans of Michael B. Jordan will definitely enjoy “Sinners” and so will movie-goers reminiscing memories of brothers. A mesmerizing masterpiece about brotherhood, it proves movies about misunderstood siblings are worth making in Hollywood.
A powerful portrait of frightening vampires causing the bonds between brothers to deteriorate, it’s a riveting reminder about the commendable roles that siblings play in the lives of people that have the abilities to shape families’ fate.
As strong as Smoke’s desire to overcome racism, it has motivated me to move on with my life many years after ending my strong relationships with a brother that pursued success in a challenging educational system by treasuring heartwarming memories of a commemorated sibling that had a lifelong love for playing the game of soccer whose inspirational words of wisdom inspired me to achieve my dreams of film criticism.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 