After watching Sinners, Ryan Coogler (director of Creed, Black Panther, and Fruitvale Station) has officially become one of my favorite directors. Taking place in the late 1930s, Sinners is a period piece/horror thriller that follows a pair of twins that open a juke joint in Clarksdale, Mississippi, only for it to be attacked by vampires. What made this flick so special is that it was so much more than your run-of-the-mill horror film. Between its fully realized characters, the cinematography, the set design, and its story that uses its supernatural premise and captivating music selection to masterfully touch on themes of Black culture and cultural relations, the horror/vampire elements and thrilling action set pieces almost felt like a bonus. That’s not even to mention the fantastic performances of the all-star cast, with Michael B. Jordan and Miles Caton being the standouts. This review is admittedly coming from someone who is not too big on the horror genre, but this film was undoubtedly a modern classic that deserves to be seen and is a testament to the director’s filmmaking versatility. Score: 10/10
Noah Robinson 