Ryan Coogler, the acclaimed director of “Creed” and “Black Panther,” has been openly sharing the inspirations behind his new horror thriller, “Sinners.” As the film’s premiere approaches, Coogler has been active on the press circuit, generating buzz and discussing the creative journey of his latest original work. In an interview with SciFiNow, Coogler described the film as “genre-fluid,” noting, “There are vampires in the film, okay, but it’s really about a lot more than just that. It’s one of many elements, and I think we’re going to surprise people with it.”
Indeed, “Sinners” is more complex than it initially appears, as seen in the wide array of influences Coogler has drawn upon during the scriptwriting process. He mentioned inspirations like “From Dusk Till Dawn,” “The Faculty,” the works of the Coen brothers, and even “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.” Yet, the most intriguing reference might be an episode from Rod Serling’s “The Twilight Zone.”
“The biggest influences aren’t in cinema,” Coogler revealed to SciFiNow. “The novel ‘Salem’s Lot’ is a massive influence, and ‘The Twilight Zone’ is my all-time favorite, especially the episode ‘The Last Rites of Jeff Myrtlebank’ — both are huge influences.”
The third-season “Twilight Zone” episode, “The Last Rites of Jeff Myrtlebank,” features Jeff Myrtlebank, who astonishingly comes back to life during his own funeral in a small Midwestern town. Initially deemed a miracle, his revival later raises suspicions due to changes in his behavior, sparking rumors among the townspeople.
Jeff’s mother is concerned when he doesn’t finish his usual three eggs at breakfast, and his father notes a newfound diligence that contrasts with his former “shiftless” demeanor. These shifts fuel suspicions and eventually lead to outright distrust, even from Jeff’s fiancée, Comfort Gatewood. Frustrated, Jeff exclaims, “I’m getting sick and tired of the way everybody treats me like a vampire.”
The episode leaves questions about Jeff’s true nature unanswered, much like “Sinners,” where the term “haint” — used by Comfort’s brother to accuse Jeff — appears. In “Sinners,” Wunmi Mosaku’s character, Annie, discusses how music can bridge the living and the dead worlds.
Beyond its connection to Coogler’s film, “The Last Rites of Jeff Myrtlebank” stands as an exemplary “Twilight Zone” episode, demonstrating that sometimes the most intriguing questions remain unanswered. Though not as renowned as episodes like “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet” or “Five Characters in Search of an Exit,” it’s worth watching, whether you’re planning to see “Sinners” or not.
“The Twilight Zone” is available for streaming on Pluto TV and Paramount Plus.
