Ryan Coogler delivered a powerhouse trio of films in “Fruitvale Station”, “Creed” and “Black Panther”. Outside of Angela Bassett’s performance and the opening Marvel intro tribute to the late Chadwick Boseman, I wasn’t a huge fan of “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”. But Coogler is back to form with “Sinners” — an original concept with a not-so expensive $90 million budget that created a distribution studio bidding war just 15 months ago. Warner Bros. got it. This isn’t a perfect film, but certainly one of the most ambitious, atmospheric and cinematic movies of 2025 so far.
On an October day in 1932, twins Smoke and Stack (both played by Michael B. Jordan) are looking to start-up a juke joint. The first half of “Sinners” — a little slow but never uninteresting — shows the brothers organizing and opening up the place. Throughout their conversations and travels, we can feel some subtle rage, while also being completely enveloped in music — and not just from the ’30s. Coogler plays with time in unique and not overwhelming ways.
There’s one pivotal twist that certainly shifts the tone of “Sinners”. More semi-surprises occur along the way. This isn’t as suspenseful of a thriller as it could’ve been, but your attention never wavers. The cast, which also includes Hailee Steinfeld, Omar Miller, Delroy Lindo and Miles Caton in the key role of Sammie, is strong. Big fan of the cinematography. And in the final section (don’t get up from your seat when the closing credits begin), Coogler enforces some effective commentary on family and generations.
LCJ GRADE: B
Running Time: 137 min.