In 1932 Clarksdale, Mississippi the Smoke/Stack twins (Michael B. Jordan) return home to open their very own juke joint, with their blues singing cousin Sammie (Miles Caton) drawing in the crowds with his siren song. The only issue is that his supernaturally brilliant musical abilities also draw the attention of evil forces nearby. 

Taking place over the course of a single day, Sinners opens as a fascinating and deep insight into the world of Elijah ‘Smoke’ and Elias ‘Stack’ Moore. Veterans of World War 1 and just back home from Chicago where they played the Irish and Italian mobs against each other, they have a large amount of stolen money to burn and create their dream. Splitting up in order to get their joint open that evening we see the reputation that precedes them in town despite their absence for some time. 

Of all the old friends and acquaintances that they speak to and line up to help them with their enterprise, the most important are the twins’ respective lost loves. When Smoke visits the grave of his child he meets his estranged wife Annie (Wunmi Mosaku) and they discuss their shared grief and plans. Whilst Stack is recruiting blues singer Delta Slim (Delroy Lindo) he bumps into Mary (Hailee Steinfeld). A woman who he loves but cannot be with because she passes for white in the Jim Crow laws era. 

Everything is going to plan and the juke joint is rocking. But when Sammie sings it draws the attention of a man named Remmick (Jack O’Connell) who asks for permission to enter. And from here things take a turn for the supernatural. 

Sinners is an astonishingly good movie that almost plays out as two completely different films. Set across twenty-four hours and split almost perfectly in half by daytime and nighttime each film offers something different. The opening hour is a 1930’s depression era drama focusing on the twins’ entrepreneurship and is steeped with interesting characters, backstories and real social issues. The closing hour is something more surreal and supernatural that talks about how music ties people to their homeland, the nature of what it is to be free and the draw of turning towards or away from sin. Both are fantastic to watch thanks to the layers of depth in every aspect of the filmmaking on show. 

Firstly, it is an absolute joy to be watching another collaboration between writer/director Ryan Coogler and actor Michael B. Jordan. From 2013’s gritty true life story Fruitvale Station, 2015’s revival of the Rocky franchise with Creed and 2018’s Best Picture nominee Black Panther the pair have so far not missed when working together. Coogler’s films always have layers of meaning and importance and Jordan always seems to be on another level when working with him. Here of course he gets to do that twice. Portraying both of the Smoke/Stack twins with a clear personality distinction. 

Secondly, both of the films on offer here are good enough to merit their own movie. And I know some reviewers have been disappointed that they did not see a real world ending to the Smoke/Stack story. Personally I loved how the film merged the superstitions of the local people with the supernatural elements of the story to blend the roots of blues music with black music across the ages. One particular scene in the jukebox joint when Sammie is singing is extraordinary to watch which encapsulates this and it is not possible without this element in the film. 

And then we have all of the other additional details in the film working perfectly with each other to weave the tale together beautifully. 

The supporting cast are electric. From Mosaku and Steinfeld playing the love of the twins’ lives, to Caton and Lindo’s blues singers and O’Connell’s villain. Everyone feels like a fully fledged lived in character who you understand from their interactions with others. 

The music is electrifying. From Ludwig Goransson’s score to Miles Caton’s perilously deep vocals on the songs. As mentioned before, the idea of music and its relationship with identity and roots is important to the story and they have ensured that this has been catered to appropriately. There is even an appearance from Blues legend Buddy Guy to add gravitas. 

The costumes and setting are superb. Oscar winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter who also worked on Black Panther with Coogler and Jordan has gone to great lengths to ensure the costumes not only look spectacular but help tell the character’s story. Smoke and Stack both wear clothing and hats that represent their character as well as help the audience know who is who. 

If there is any kind of misstep then my only gripe would be that the story continues throughout the credits and impatient cinema goers had already left when key moments were unfolding. But be forewarned or a little patient as there is still more to tell. 

Sinners is exceptional.