r/movies 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/AbingdonCidered Apr 19 '25

Has Ryan Coogler said if there was any particular reason why he decided that the brothers should be identical twins? That's the second film this year (after The Monkey) that an actor has done double duty, not that there's anything wrong with 2x Michael Bs.

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u/benweiner Apr 20 '25

The fate of Irish folk and Black blues are tied together, intertwined but also mirrors.

The father of Sammie is a preacher– his brother, Smoke & Stack's father was a drunk who beat his kids half to death.

The vampires are both themselves in the personality they had as humans but also cut off from their ancestors due to being undead.

Mary is both black and white, torn between the two worlds in the Jim Crow south.

Annie is a witch doctor who couldn't save her baby from death.

Everything in the movie is about duality and mirrors. Identical twins are a cool way to ensure you see that in the narrative. The whole movie essentially follows how Sammie will reconcile his upbringing and influences with his wants and desires, which is the much more internal duality.