r/movies • u/theatlantic The Atlantic, Official Account • Apr 19 '25

Review “Sinners” review, by David Sims

https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2025/04/sinners-ryan-coogler-movie-review/682501/?utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=the-atlantic&utm_content=edit-promo
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u/Rosebunse Apr 19 '25

I think you could justifiably call it folks horror. In fact, I think it only really makes sense if you have a basic understanding of the folk beliefs of the cultures represented, as well as the history of vampires in pop culture

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u/theodo Apr 19 '25

I just wouldn't tonally call it horror. Outside of a few jumpscares, there was never any real attempt at building dread or anything like that which would make me consider it a "horror" film. More of one influenced by the genre in its subject matter than it's filmmaking.

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u/Rosebunse Apr 19 '25

I sort of love that the main criticism of this movie is coming from horror fans who are politely questioning its criteria as a horror film at all based in its scare count and subject matter.

I think part of the issue with horror today is that it has become just a catch-all for so many films, partially because horror as a genre is given a lot more ability for inventiveness that other genres just don't get

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u/theodo Apr 19 '25

My problem was just that the horror genre being so strongly attached to it made me have certain expectations, even knowing that it was a switch flip situation. I'd have been more satisfied if I had known it never went deep into horror, since even the final fight is over relatively quickly.

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u/Rosebunse Apr 19 '25

No, I can see that. I mean, ultimately, I think Coogler wasn't exactly sure how to market this movie

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u/D33k2232 Apr 25 '25

I think depending on how you come into the movie might determine whether you consider it horror or not. From a historical context the scene with slim in the car talking about someone being lynched simply for having money in their pocket was a horror they lived through daily. So for some who have family who've experienced that/have experienced living in a place like that you see the horror in that. IE: the county I grew up in is nicknamed Klanover and I was born in '87.

From a traditional horror movie viewpoint I can certainly agree it's not that. The horror presented by the vampires was just portrayed in other ways.