Sinners is a 2025 horror film written and directed by Ryan Coogler, starring Michael B. Jordan in a challenging double role. Set in 1932 Mississippi, the film combines vampire horror, blues music and Black history.
The story follows identical twin brothers Elijah “Smoke” Moore and Elias “Stack” Moore, both played by Jordan. After returning to their hometown of Clarksdale, Mississippi, they plan to open a juke joint where the local community can gather and enjoy music. However, their plans turn into a nightmare when a group of vampires led by Remmick, played by Jack O’Connell, arrives.
The film also stars Hailee Steinfeld as Mary, Wunmi Mosaku as Annie, Miles Caton as Sammie Moore, Delroy Lindo as Delta Slim and Jayme Lawson as Pearline.
Beyond its supernatural story, Sinners explores racism, Black culture, music and spirituality. Its setting reflects the Jim Crow era, when racial segregation shaped everyday life for Black Americans. The juke joint also represents the importance of music and community spaces in Black history.
Blues music plays an important role throughout the film, with an original score by Ludwig Göransson. The movie's cinematography was handled by Autumn Durald Arkapaw, helping create its distinctive visual atmosphere.
Released in April 2025, Sinners runs for approximately two hours and 17 minutes. It earned more than $370 million worldwide against an estimated $90 million production budget.
The film also made Academy Awards history with 16 nominations at the 98th Oscars, winning four awards. These included Best Actor for Michael B. Jordan, Best Original Screenplay for Ryan Coogler, Best Cinematography for Autumn Durald Arkapaw and Best Original Score for Ludwig Göransson.
With its mix of horror, history and music, Sinners tells a story that goes beyond vampires, giving viewers a look at Black culture and the struggles of a community in 1930s America.
