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Sinners is leaving audiences captivated, shattering box office records and earning amazing reviews.

The new horror movie Sinners debuted on April 17, 2025, instantly shattering box office records by earning 45 million dollars in a single weekend, and earning a 98% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Directed by Oscar Nominated film-maker Ryan Coogler is best known for critically acclaimed movies like the Creed trilogy and Marvel’s Black Panther. Coolger has proved his talent for creating culturally symbolic films, but this time he tells those stories through the lens of horror.

Sinners takes place in the Mississippi Delta during the time of sharecropping and Jim Crow laws. It follows the life of twin brothers Smoke and Stack, who return home to escape their criminal past and open up a juke joint, as well as their younger cousin Sammie, an aspiring singer and musician. While set in real historical context, the film’s main horror element comes from a supernatural twist involving vampires. As the three travel upstate for the grand opening of the twins’s juke joint, strange and unsettling things begin to unfold, causing the night to take a turn for the worst.

The cast’s performances could not have been more stellar. The most obvious standout being Michael B. Jordan who played the role of both Smoke and Stack. His ability to distinguish the two characters by emphasizing both Smoke and Stacks personalities, accents and tendencies made the viewers feel like there really were identical twins acting in the film. Additionally, Miles Caton, playing Sammie, shines as a young singer and guitarist but is torn by his father who wants him to stay at home and preach the word of God, warning him of the evil music can attract. Caton does a marvelous job at capturing the fear, passion and pressure Sammie bears, creating a layered and authentic character.

Most horror films consist of jumpscares, homogeneous plots and predictable tropes, but Sinners was without a doubt the most distinguishable horror movie of the decade. As Coogler focused on African history while directing The Black Panther, with this film, he wanted to address the history of the American South by highlighting the realities of segregation and hate crimes as well as the relevance of culture appropriation and legacy. Rather than using generic horror characters, Coogler leaned into the allegory and symbolism that vampires represent, portraying them as human depictions of temptation. Similarly, each character embodies one of the seven deadly sins, a creative choice that deepens the film’s themes without it being obvious and expected.

One of the most prominent features of the movie is the music. During this time period, blues music, specifically delta blues, had a specific healing quality. Because of the oppression African Americans were facing, they sang with such passion, pain and emotion, and the cast did an astounding job rendering this. The soundtrack didn’t just support the story, it told it by creating a spiritual connection between the characters and their past, anchoring the film in black culture and history. From Jayme Lawson’s soulful singing to Miles Catons expressive guitar playing, the music and overall vibe of the juke joint made the film come alive and accurately depicted the roots and significance of black music and expression.

So far, Sinners has been the most standout movie of the year, evoking emotion and representing culture and history through the lens of thriller. With powerful performances, old soul music and deep hidden themes Coogler incorporated to give the film layers and depth, it’s hard to put into words how impactful it is. Sinners is a cinematic masterpiece that attracts audiences from all genres, and will have you reflecting long after the credits roll.