Back in 2003, when Peter Jackson released The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, moviegoers often noted how the film seemed to end multiple times, adding various epilogues and scenes that stretched the finale. Similarly, Ryan Coogler’s expansive and chaotic vampire film, Sinners, set in the 1930s, employs the same technique. A word of advice: do not rush to the restroom as soon as the credits roll. Stay put, at least for the mid-credits scene, which is substantial and almost serves as a fourth act, rather than just a brief teaser or joke as many credits scenes do. Spoilers ahead.
Does *Sinners* have a mid-credits scene?
Indeed, it does, and it’s quite detailed. By this stage in the movie, the viewers have already witnessed the significant showdown where the young blues singer Sammie “Preacher Boy” Moore (played by R&B/gospel artist Miles Caton) and local gangster Smoke (Michael B. Jordan) battle a vampiric mob led by the murderous Remmick (Jack O’Connell). Following this, there’s yet another intense confrontation as Smoke returns to the juke joint he founded with his brother, Stack (also Michael B. Jordan), prepared to face an incoming Klan mob, ensuring they meet a violent end instead.
During this gunfight, Stack gets injured, envisions his late wife Annie (Wunmi Mosaku) with their deceased child, but manages to rally enough to take down one last Klansman before joining Annie in death, presenting yet another finale that comes with a hint of dark humor through its timing. By this point, it might feel like the story has ended multiple times.
However, after the initial credits, Coogler shifts the narrative to 1992 Chicago. Here, an elderly Sammie, portrayed by blues legend Buddy Guy, performs on stage, indicating a long and successful career. An ominous couple enters—vampire versions of Stack and his girlfriend Mary (Hailee Steinfeld) who survived the 1932 bloodbath. Dressed in vibrant 1990s attire, they approach Sammie. Stack recounts how his brother Smoke promised to let Sammie live his life undisturbed but suggests adding immortality to it. Sammie declines the offer, but Stack commends his music before leaving with Mary.
Does *Sinners* have a post-credits scene?
Yes, the film features one more scene, albeit less critical to the storyline. This post-credits scene stars Sammie alone in his father’s church, passionately singing the gospel classic “This Little Light of Mine”. It’s unclear if this moment is a canonical part of the film or simply an on-set performance by Caton. If it is a scene from the movie, it likely occurs before any of the events shown, as Sammie’s father, Jedidiah (Saul Williams), who disapproves of his son’s musical pursuits, is absent. Thus, Sammie may be performing alone, enjoying the acoustics of the empty church.
However, it could also be a moment where Coogler captures Caton’s vocal talent. Regardless, it stands as yet another poignant ending momentarily prolonging the vibrant lives of these characters.
