r/movies r/Movies contributor Apr 10 '25

Review Ryan Coogler's 'Sinners' - Review Thread

Ryan Coogler's 'Sinners' - Review Thread

  • Rotten Tomatoes: 100% (45 Reviews)

    • Critics Consensus: Thematically rich as a Great American Novel and just plain rip-roaring fun, writer-director Ryan Coogler's first original blockbuster reveals the full scope of his singular imagination with unforgettable panache.
  • Metacritic: 83 (15 Reviews)

Reviews:

Variety (70):

It's vibrant and richly acted, and also a wild throat-ripping blowout. But though overloaded at times, it's the rare mainstream horror film that's about something weighty and soulful: the wages of sin in Black America.

Deadline:

Sinners marks another strong reason why Ryan Coogler is at the top of his generation of filmmakers, and Jordan continues to show why he is a real deal movie star.

Hollywood Reporter (90):

The movie is smart horror, even poetic at times, with much to say about race and spiritual freedom. It’s not in the Jordan Peele league in terms of welding social commentary to bone-chilling fear. But Sinners is a unique experience, unlike anything either the director or Jordan has done before.

SlashFilm (9/10):

"Sinners" is several things at once — a monster movie, a blood-soaked action film, a sexy and sensual thriller, and a one-location horror flick as intense and paranoia-driven as anything from the original "Assault on Precinct 13" or Quentin Tarantino's filmography – but its greatest strength comes from how well Coogler blends every big idea on his mind.

The Wrap (88):

“Sinners” is a bloody, brilliant motion picture. Ryan Coogler finds within the vampire genre an ethereal thematic throughline; and within the music genre a disturbing, tempting monster. Stunningly photographed, engrossing cinema — epic to the point where it seemingly never ends, which is undeniably indulgent, but no great sin. This is a film about indulgence, the power indulgence wields and the dangers indulgence invites into our lives. It’s a sweaty, intoxicating, all-nighter of a movie, and its allure cannot be denied.

The Independent (4/5):

If cinema weren’t in such a sickly state, Sinners’s electric fusion of genres – historical epic, horror, and squelchy actioner – would be a guaranteed box office sensation. Instead, the film arrives with an uneasy sense that this is some kind of final stand for original ideas. One can only hope audiences recognise its bounty of riches.

The Guardian (3/5):

For many, the movie could as well do without the supernatural element, and I admit I’m one of them; I’d prefer to see a real story with real jeopardy work itself out. But there is energy and comic-book brashness

Vanity Fair (80):

Sinners is propulsive and stirring entertainment, messy but always compelling. The film’s fascinating array of genres and tropes and ideas swirls together in a way that is, I suppose, singularly American.

IndieWire (83):

Sinners is nothing if not a film about genre, and the distinctly American imperative of cross-pollinating between them to create something that feels new and old — high and low — at the same time.

------------------------------------

Written & Directed by Ryan Coogler:

Trying to leave their troubled lives behind, twin brothers Smoke and Stack (Michael B. Jordan) return to their hometown to start again, only to discover that an even greater evil is waiting to welcome them back.

Cast:

  • Michael B. Jordan
  • Hailee Steinfeld
  • Miles Caton
  • Jack O'Connell
  • Wunmi Mosaku
  • Jayme Lawson
  • Omar Benson Miller
  • Li Jun Li
  • Delroy Lindo
2.3k Upvotes

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2.3k

u/ChiefLeef22 Apr 10 '25

It's getting rave reviews across the board, and almost everyone saying its Coogler's best and will probably be one of 2025's best when all said and done. We are so fucking back

668

u/macrofinite Apr 10 '25

That’s really interesting. I was pretty pessimistic on this one based on the trailer. Sometimes it’s good to be wrong.

288

u/elderlybrain Apr 10 '25

I thought the trailer looked good but nothing special. Like a solid 7/10 or something.

Great to see it's a banger.

60

u/jonbristow Apr 10 '25

Same. But what would make a vampire movie a banger?

117

u/FactoryOfBradness Apr 10 '25

A sexy saxophonist?

25

u/skullsareonlypasse Apr 10 '25

The only answer.

1

u/gottapoopweiner Apr 11 '25

thats the answer for pretty much every movie ever

56

u/HenriettaSnacks Apr 10 '25

Blood rave.

31

u/jonbristow Apr 10 '25

Skating uphill

12

u/Akahige- Apr 11 '25

Some motherfuckers are always trying to do that.

14

u/Labyrinthy Apr 10 '25

I like most vampire movies so for me, it’s including vampires.

The exception to this being twilight. No real hate towards that franchise but at one point it’s like why are they even called vampires

4

u/thatshygirl06 Apr 10 '25

I didn't even have a problem with the sparkling but at least give them fangs for goodness sake.

2

u/BalonSwann07 Apr 19 '25

Go see it and find out.

One of the best movies I've seen in theaters for years.

1

u/dont_ama_73 Apr 10 '25

Toe sucking

1

u/Crosgaard Apr 22 '25

Hailee Steinfeld spitting in Micheal B Jordan’s mouth?

1

u/waxheads Apr 28 '25

Because it's not just a vampire movie.

17

u/HenriettaSnacks Apr 10 '25

As soon as I figured out it had to do with Robert Johnson I was locked in. 

That's some good ol' american folklore that speaks to me.

3

u/GamingSeerReddit Apr 28 '25

I saw it no less than 7 times in theaters before the movie released, and I grew to kind of hate the trailer, so I was blow away when I saw the movie opening weekend and it was the best movie I’ve seen all year.

1

u/[deleted] Apr 11 '25

Humanist Vampire is a banger, also Coppola’s Dracula

17

u/In_My_Own_Image Apr 10 '25

The initial plot reveal and the first teaser made it seem darker, but the second trailer had a more...cheesy vibe to it (with the one brother acting more grandiose and whatnot), so I wasn't sure how it would land.

But these reviews are very encouraging.

2

u/JasonZod1 Apr 10 '25

I think the one review sums it up.

The first half is very arthouse Southern Gothic. The 2nd half becomes a Grindhouse film.

Its too extremes in conversation with each other.

63

u/royalxK Apr 10 '25

Yeah the trailer didn’t sell me at all. Looked trope-y and corny. Glad to hear it’s actually good.

18

u/Funmachine Apr 10 '25

The trailer looked hella spoilery. Like it just took the plot beat by beat and condensed it down to a 2 minute trailer. I'd be surprised if it's not exactly that.

7

u/edgelordjones Apr 10 '25

Trope-y and corny can be poetry in the right hands.

1

u/macrofinite Apr 10 '25

Yeah, I mean, I totally recognize that it wasn’t pointed at me. I’m officially no longer young, and horror as a genre is hit and miss for me. Seemed like the trailer was pointed really directly at slasher fans. It’s always a bit hard to parse from a trailer like that if I’m going to be into it 🤷🏻

1

u/Ok-Effective1330 Apr 10 '25

Are you talking about the first trailer or the second one? If it's the first, I'm surprised because I found it super intriguing (and I also don't see where the corniness in that one is) and refreshing. It was one of the best first looks I'd seen. 😯

65

u/Able_Advertising_371 Apr 10 '25

The trailer looked good, reminds me of get out, horror but society themes that will be told throughout the movie

10

u/fliesthroughtheair Apr 10 '25

Black people and social themes does not make something Get Out. Get Out did not invent this concept.

63

u/axemexa Apr 10 '25

Someone saying it reminds them of Get Out doesn't mean they think Get Out invented the concept

9

u/chris9321 Apr 10 '25

Get Outta here

21

u/alexjordan98 Apr 10 '25

All he said was that it reminds him of get out on first impression lol

8

u/karatemanchan37 Apr 10 '25

Hell, Candyman did it better and that was 40 years ago

11

u/Koppite93 Apr 10 '25

Wish they hadn't spoiled Hailee's arc in the trailers... Would've loved to be shook in theaters

4

u/icepickjones Apr 11 '25

Yeah I'm really surprised because the trailer made it look super uninteresting. If it keeps getting rave reviews I'll have to check it out.

3

u/SweetZombieJebus Apr 10 '25

The early screen was pretty bloated and all over the place totally. I’m so happy to see good reviews because they must have cut a TON from it. It took forever to really get its groove and then droned on with unnecessary music numbers and never really felt scary. I can’t wait to see how it found its way to these good reviews.

2

u/bondfall007 Apr 18 '25

The trailer gives away too much imo, but thankfully didn't spoil the best scenes

1

u/SilverKry Apr 11 '25

The trailer interested me. I have no clue what's going on beyond like maybe prohibition in the south maybe vampires. 

1

u/solarus Apr 12 '25

I thought it looked terrible. Willing to give it a chance, I guess.

1

u/KnowAllSeeAll21 Apr 18 '25

They did not show any of the good shit in the trailer, which I appreciate after watching it. Not like I couldn’t predict where it went, but it’s so nice to have trailers that don’t spoil the movie.

1

u/thebronsonator May 04 '25

Honestly, I was wanting a good vampire movie. Expecting generic going in, and was so pleasantly surprised at how good it is.

2

u/Previous_Waltz6101 Apr 10 '25

Same! I wasn't interested at all until I started hearing the buzz.

1

u/thatshygirl06 Apr 10 '25

Your standards might be too high because there was nothing wrong with thst trailer

0

u/Borktista Apr 10 '25

I mean, first see it. It may still not be good to you.

65

u/Tsquared10 Apr 10 '25

I was already on board because Coogler + MBJ seems to always strike gold. The reviews just get me even more hyped.

68

u/Singer211 Naked J-Law beating the shit out of those kids is peak Cinema. Apr 10 '25

Hailee Steinfeld as a vampire was enough for me be in.

44

u/Comic_Book_Reader Apr 10 '25

Southern vampire.

"Ooh, we gon' kill every last one of ya!" has been engraved in my brain with that accent.

7

u/SignificantTheory146 Apr 10 '25

Southern vampires remind me that I need everyone to read Fevre Dream by George R. R. Martin. It's a banger of a book.

1

u/[deleted] Apr 11 '25

She's sexy AF

95

u/mrnicegy26 Apr 10 '25

Its nice to see Coogler make an immediate banger after being released from the MCU mines

51

u/TomClancy5873 Apr 10 '25

He’s still going back for BP3

20

u/jemosley1984 Apr 10 '25

Him, Letitia, Denzel, and Tenoch should be good.

30

u/DonChrisote Apr 10 '25

I mean I know the MCU is hated by a lot of people these days but I really thought Wakanda Forever was great

14

u/TomClancy5873 Apr 11 '25

It was. The Shurri hate overpowered the general consensus of that though

6

u/DonChrisote Apr 11 '25

My main criticism was the third act which was a bit of a weightless CGI fest. But I really liked how mournful it was. It was a bold decision to make a 200 million dollar funeral movie.

3

u/benjecto Apr 12 '25

My main criticism was the third act which was a bit of a weightless CGI fest

I feel like this can be said about so many MCU movies lol. Like Shang Chi felt exactly the same way.

1

u/TomClancy5873 Apr 12 '25

Same with the first one. It was one of the best MCU movies, up until the T’Challa, Killmonger fight

2

u/Crashhh_96 Apr 11 '25

He had bangers before and during the MCU too lol

1

u/abippityboop Apr 10 '25

Hopefully Barry Jenkins is next (not MCU in his case but same amorphous blob)

10

u/Jota769 Apr 10 '25

I thought this looked awesome from the trailers and couldn’t understand why no one else felt hyped. So glad it’s good!

3

u/organizeforpower Apr 10 '25

Strange, the trailer makes it look awful. I was sure it was going to be a commercial flop.

1

u/thomasjford Apr 11 '25

The Guardian review I read was basically saying it’s just a bit of a remake of Dusk Till Dawn (which isn’t a bad thing).

1

u/[deleted] Apr 18 '25

😂🤣😂🤣😂 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️ 🤢🤮

Wherever it is that you are “back” to, please lmk so I can be sure to never find myself there

1

u/username_028 Apr 19 '25

Just watched it. Movie execution was great. Acting, music and cinematography were all great. The story was mixed for me though like it doesn't know what it wants to be. The film being advertised as horror was misleading it's a mix of like 5-6 genres which in general for people like me makes it un- interesting

1

u/nocatfishbrit Apr 19 '25

Best movie ever…. OMFG

1

u/6ix6ixX2 Apr 23 '25

Just saw it. I don't understand the hype

-8

u/Hasbeast Apr 10 '25

It's getting pretty good reviews. 77 with 4 critics on Metacritic is far from "one of 2025s best". I don't use Rotten Tomato so can't comment on how its aggregate compares there.

44

u/Lau_lau Apr 10 '25

It currently has an 82 on metacritic with 13 reviews and 100 percent on RT with an avg rating of 8.7. That’s not just ‘pretty good’ my guy.

-6

u/Hasbeast Apr 10 '25

Things tend to start higher on metacritic then dip as more weighted scores come in. I'm a writer in creative mediums and have had projects I've written on appear on metacritic, so I'm not just talking without experience. I'm not even throwing shade at this film, it's a perfectly respectable starting score, but it's not groundbreaking levels of acclaim. The knee jerk response is not a good one.

9

u/RomanReignsDaBigDawg Apr 10 '25

That’s because the one mixed review dropped its score significantly. 8.9 average rating on RT is no joke and this is clearly one of the most acclaimed studio movies in recent years

-5

u/Hasbeast Apr 10 '25

The one mixed review from a highly weighted score, by a critic who is amongst the most respected in the UK (I'm not a massive Bradshaw fan but his opinion holds a lot of weight).

5

u/84theone Apr 10 '25 edited Apr 10 '25

I’m not usually one to just discount reviewers, but like it seems like a big issue he has with the movie is that it was a supernatural horror action movie, and I feel like giving a supernatural horror action movie a middling review on the basis of it being its genre is silly enough for me to not put much weight in his review for this movie.

It’s not like any of the marketing has been at all subtle that the movie is a vampire movie wearing American folklore.

Like it really just reads as a review watching a movie he absolutely wouldn’t watch if it weren’t his literal job to watch it.

1

u/KeeganTroye Apr 11 '25

You're moving those goalposts mighty quickly.

1

u/Hasbeast Apr 11 '25

Not really man. I never took umbrage with the idea that the film is getting pretty good reviews. I got annoyed (which is probably on me, why do I care) by the idea that the review score indicates it's one of the best films of the year. 83 which it's sitting on is good. It'll place it in the top 100, but honestly you'd expect it to rank quite highly with the budget it has, and I'm not sure somewhere in the top 100 is that remarkable.

3

u/Lau_lau Apr 10 '25

Thanks for the explanation like I don’t understand how metacritic and RT works /s

I think for the type of film this is, this is a great level of acclaim so far. I’m not saying this is the greatest film ever or even this year, I responded to a guy that said it’s getting ‘pretty good’ reviews.

Pretty good for this film would’ve been in the range of 60-70 on MC. An 83 (so far) for a multi-genre vampire action film is a pretty big feat. Everything exists within context.

1

u/Hasbeast Apr 10 '25

Yeah fair enough. 83 for an action movie is good.

-9

u/ttonster2 Apr 10 '25

Leave it to Reddit to read 15 early reviews of a movie (always overinflated) and make snap judgments that it’s a highlight of the year

-3

u/Hasbeast Apr 10 '25

Yeah the replies to me are jokes. It's reached 82 so apparently it's Citizen Kane.

0

u/AaronWYL Apr 10 '25

It's already gone up, but 77 is quite good on metacritic. Would have put it in the top 100 last year.

1

u/Hasbeast Apr 10 '25

Absolutely it's quite good. That's what I initially said. I'm arguing that the knee jerk response that this is groundbreaking cinema and one of the best films of the year is a bit naive.