Sinners (2025)

Set in 1932 Mississippi, two brothers (both played by Michael B. Jordan) return to their Southern roots after living in Chicago for several years. They purchase a sawmill with the intention of turning it into a juke joint for the local black community. But opening night of the juke joint literally turns into a blood bath. Written and directed by Ryan Coogler (CREED). I liked Coogler's breakthrough film FRUITVALE STATION but I was indifferent toward BLACK PANTHER and skipped CREED. Though not without its flaws, I think this is Coogler's best work to date. A daring visionary horror film (some might call it a musical horror movie), Coogler ventures into Jordan Peele territory here. With the exception of the film's ridiculous RAMBO style massacre near the end, the movie draws us in immediately and never loosens its hold. Though it can't help but evoke earlier horror films like NEAR DARK and FROM DUSK TILL DAWN, the movie doesn't seem derivative. The film's two major musical sequences are sensational. The underscore by Ludwig Goransson is first rate. With Hailee Steinfeld, Jack O'Connell, Miles Caton, Delroy Lindo and Wunmi Mosaku.