Sinners: A Movie Review

There are many kinds of horror movies. Some of my favorites are the ones where the horrors are layered. There is a supernatural threat. Some other that lurks in the darkness to reek terror. Then there is a threat that is considered normal, and it shouldn’t be. It could be economic status, racism, sexism or a corrupt state. I love how these horror movies can help to start conversations.

Sinners is a story about stories. Multiple interesting characters each have their own snippets of background while adding to the overall arc of the narrative. It is the collection and coming together of these stories that makes the movie.

Ryan Coogler masterfully wrote and directed this film full of horrors. Released in 2025 with a lot of anticipation from horror fans. Coogler has an impressive film resume. The cast for the film is stacked with heavy hitters. Fans of the genre were excited to see how the scares would be tackled. What kind of effects Coogler would use. The buzz surrounding the film even brought film goers who would not usually pick a horror film into the theaters. 

Two brothers have moved back to their home town, trying for a fresh start. With their younger cousin they are hoping to open their own nightclub. They think that the only troubles they will face are those they grew up with as men of color in the south. Past troubles. Past loves. These are issues they think they are capable of handling. However a danger that none of them have ever heard of knocks on their door, asking to be let in with a smile on its face. Thus a night that should have been full of joy turns into a night of evil. 

I love this film. It tells a story that does not shy away from the realities and everyday horrors of living in the American south as a non-white person in the 1930s. The danger in every aspect of life, even if you have money. The walls built up to keep these characters from succeeding based solely on the color of their skin. Then there just so happens to be a supernatural threat added to their troubles. 

The costumes do so much more than tell the audience about what time period the movie takes place in. They tell you about the financial status of characters. Who is working in the fields or has fallen on hard times. The state of the costumes also change as the supernatural threat increases. The music is a character in and of itself. It celebrates the history of the blues and the people who created it. How the appropriation of it has done harm as well. 

I don’t want to spoil this movie but it is so wonderfully layered. It is a horror movie where the horrors are also man and man-made. It touches on how important connection and culture are. How isolation can lead us to unspeakable things. There is so much to talk about in this film. I really hope you will enjoy it.

ALWAYS KEEP SPARKLING!!!