Unearthing Flaws: The Hidden Shortcomings of Ryan Coogler’s Sinners

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        <p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _11x6rb9i ku7vx12 ku7vx10 ku7vx17 ku7vx15 t0irya1 ku7vx1b">Without question, Ryan Coogler's film <em>Sinners</em>, a captivating mix of crime thriller, historical drama, and vampire horror set in the 1930s, stands out as one of the finest releases of 2025. Known for his work on <em>Black Panther</em> and <em>Fruitvale Station</em>, Coogler has crafted a uniquely bold and personal narrative. This film is a refreshing original story for avid moviegoers weary of the endless stream of franchise films, reboots, and sequels that dominate Hollywood. It reflects the American dream as experienced by Black citizens throughout the last century while weaving in Coogler's own family history, intertwining themes of bootlegging, early Black-owned enterprises, and blues music. Not only is it an engaging watch, but it also delivers thrilling and gory aspects typical of horror movies.</p>
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        <p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _11x6rb9i ku7vx11 ku7vx10 t0irya1">However, the most ambitious and imaginative concept within <em>Sinners</em> — one intriguing enough to sustain its own movie — receives but a single breathtaking and inventive sequence before being sidelined for the rest of the film. A lingering question shadows more than half of <em>Sinners</em>: What became of the film's most captivating idea, and why isn’t it more prominently featured in the storyline?</p>
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        <p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _11x6rb9i ku7vx11 ku7vx10 t0irya1">[<strong>Ed. note:</strong> Major spoilers follow for <em>Sinners</em>, with this analysis focusing more on what <em>doesn’t</em> unfold than what does.] </p>
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        <p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _11x6rb9i ku7vx11 ku7vx10 t0irya1">Much of <em>Sinners</em> relies on Michael B. Jordan's portrayal of twin brothers Smoke and Stack, known as "the SmokeStack twins." These dapper gangsters escape their Mississippi roots for the gritty criminal underworld of Chicago, briefly partner with Al Capone (a backstory left unelaborated), then return home laden with stolen alcohol and cash to fulfill their dream of establishing a juke joint for the Black community. Their plan includes recruiting their cousin Sammie (R&B/gospel artist Miles Caton), a preacher's son and blues prodigy, to perform at their launch.</p>
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        <p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _11x6rb9i ku7vx11 ku7vx10 t0irya1">Sammie, as narrated in voice-over, is among a rare lineage of musicians who seem to have emerged over millennia across various countries. These exceptional artists produce music with such force that it connects them to the spirits of the past and future. The film highlights this connection in one profoundly emotional sequence during Sammie’s performance of "I Lied to You."</p>
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        <p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _11x6rb9i ku7vx11 ku7vx10 t0irya1">The performance features a diverse ensemble of African tribal dancers, an Afrofuturist guitarist, a ballet dancer, a hip-hop DJ, contemporary revelers, and traditional Chinese opera performers, all merging harmoniously with Sammie. Composer Ludwig Göransson interweaves Sammie's blues with modern beats, house