“Sinners” Review: A Rich, Sensory Experience Interweaving Music, Magic, Murder & Monsters

Let’s be real here: unless you’re a big studio such as Disney, Marvel, DC or the like, it’s very hard to make a name for yourself in the world of film. Many are quick to dismiss any original ideas, choosing to opt for the tried and tested formula, while others have to essentially go spelunking in search of a new movie that delivers more than just entertainment. If you’re in the latter group, then we have the film for you.

“Sinners” is a horror, action, adventure, music-heavy film that seeks to deliver a fresh take on the period supernatural horror movie. Written and directed by Ryan Coogler, the movie meshes various genres together to deliver an otherworldly experience that is stitched together with the power of music. Set in the 1930s’ southern United States, the movie stars Michael B. Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld, Miles Caton, Jack O’Connell, Wunmi Mosaku, Jayme Lawson, Omar Miller, Li Jun Li, Yao, and Delroy Lindo.

The film opens with a brief narration, a story explaining to us that there are some people who are so gifted in music that they become conduits for spirits, able to unite the past and the future into the present. However, they also attract malevolent beings who seek to use these powers for personal gain.

Right after that, we are thrust into the life of Sammie Moore (Miles Caton), a cotton farmer with a talent for music, driving his way towards his local church, covered in wounds and blood. As he enters, we are blasted with grim images of what happened to him only a day prior.

We shortly see him in his daily toils before reuniting with his twin cousins, Smoke and Stack (both played by Michael B. Jordan), two gangsters who escaped the perilous north to return to their hometown to start anew. They recruit Sammie to play music for them as they plan to open their very own juke joint at an old sawmill they had recently purchased.

They go about town, visiting old friends and reuniting with old flames to convince them to take part in their business. Little do they know, they’ve essentially penned themselves in like cattle for creatures who stalk and prey on the night.

Right off the bat, you’d notice the slow pacing of the film, and there’s an instance where it feels like it’s dragging on for too long, but it’s well worth it. Almost the first half of the film is spent building up characters and establishing the relationships between them, helping us feel more invested in them. The first act is definitely a slow burn, and if you go in blind, you would definitely have your expectations subverted. You might even think that it’s going to be a musical, but it isn’t – which highlights the subtle genius of Sammie’s opening scene. This essentially snowballs into a rollercoaster ride of emotions packed with a lot of thrills and action.

Naturally, this pseudo-experimental film would have flopped if it weren’t for its strong ensemble that gives it its soul. Without dilly-dallying, the immediate highlight of “Sinners” is Jordan and his double role of the twins, Smoke and Stack. This veteran actor’s character range is so diverse it almost feels like these are two entirely different people; Jordan’s able to swap between the fun-loving Stack and the emotionally-jaded Smoke at the drop of a hat. They are the emotional fulcrum that pushes the film along and makes the first act not only bearable, but also enjoyable.

Each cast member brings their own flavour of fun and tragedy to the film that differentiates them from each other – but they all fall utterly short of Jordan’s performance, save for one. That’s right, Miles Caton is the only one who is able to reach the same heights as Jordan – the fact that this is his theatrical debut simply doubles the awe we have for this man. If the twins are the emotional fulcrum that progresses the plot, we still find ourselves attached to Caton’s Sammie as he becomes the musical heart of “Sinners.” His singing prowess is second to none, to the point we were actually vibe to the songs.

Of course, it’s not just the music that leaves us entranced; it’s also the cinematography. The film is packed to the brim with a lot of elaborate one-takes that are absolutely stunning, with one particular scene that showcases the small town and all its inhabitants in a breathtaking uncut shot. It’s not entirely perfect, however, as the scenes sometimes bounce between Smoke and Stack, and there is one particular scene where it happens in rapid succession, which is incredibly confusing. Though the film has plenty of one-takes – and perhaps shooting two Jordans at once is taxing – it would have strongly benefitted from having even more of them.

Period films are often faced with the incredibly difficult task of not only transporting us, the audience, to their target era in history, but also making sure that the era feels alive and lived in. But “Sinners” is able to do that and more with its set design alone. From the set design down to the dialect, it feels as though we are there, partying at the juke joint.

However, the film isn’t perfect. The villain of the film is charismatic, to say the least, but he isn’t anything to write home about. Saying what he is is a major spoiler, but trust us when we say that he doesn’t do the film any justice, either in dialogue or appearance. The fact that his minions are essentially mowed down, bar a few noteworthy characters, make us roll our eyes – weren’t these supposed to be supernatural creatures impervious to bullets?

Furthermore, there are a lot of instances in the film where some characters drop their common sense and behave erratically to advance the plot. This change of pace is quite jarring, to say the least. The third act in and of itself feels rushed, and the last shootout segment feels out of place and gratuitous. This is likely the result of the first act’s slow pacing, as well as the excruciatingly long run time. Sure, it’s about shooting Klan members, but it feels like it’s trying to be “Django Unchained” without the build-up that gave Quentin Tarantino’s 2012 cowboy epic a satisfying final confrontation. To put it simply, it feels like it’s jammed in there to up the body count.

Overall, “Sinners” is an electrifying film that makes us bob our heads and silently stamp our feet to the beat in the theatre hall. It’s easily one of Michael B. Jordan’s best performances yet, followed by a stellar debut performance by Miles Caton. Barring a few misses, this is easily an electrifying film that will leave a lasting impression on you in more ways than one.

“Sinners” is in theatres today!