Shivi's Take: Sinners

 Shivi's Take: Sinners

My friend and I had been waiting to watch Sinners since we first heard about it. The trailer dropped, we looked at each other, and just said, “Damn. This is our kind of movie.” And today, we finally watched it.

First things first — Ryan Coogler, I salute you. Your direction is stunning, and honestly, I get it now. I get why you keep casting Michael B. Jordan. His talent, paired with his undeniable screen presence, is such a powerful combination. And Autumn Durald, you’re one hell of a cinematographer. The way you played with one shots? Insane. I was obsessed.

Before I dive deeper, allow me to introduce (or re-introduce) myself.
I’m Shivika Sharma — a film student, aspiring director, and a writer. You can find my books Bye Love and The One With The Moon on Amazon. I also run this blog called Monologues and Movies where I explore films, directors, spiritual elements, and storytelling. Shivi’s Take is the section where I get specific — reviewing films, screen work, and the people behind them.

Now, Sinners (2025) is directed by Ryan Coogler, known for Black Panther, Creed, and Wakanda Forever. But this one’s different. It’s his first original screenplay. Set in 1932 Mississippi Delta during the Jim Crow era, the film follows twin brothers Elijah (“Smoke”) and Elias (“Stack”) Moore — both played by Michael B. Jordan. They return from Chicago after working for Al Capone and plan to open a juke joint back in their hometown. But then, supernatural forces intervene. A group of vampires led by the hauntingly magnetic Remmick (played by Jack O’Connell) arrive in the town, and suddenly, the film isn't just about business or family. It’s about racial trauma, survival, and power — told through horror.

Now I’m usually really picky with horror. It’s hard to impress me. But this one? It stuck. The way vampires were portrayed had that classic horror edge but with a brilliant, grounded twist. They felt real. Raw. Symbolic.

One scene I can’t get out of my head was Sammie’s performance of I Lied To You during the juke joint’s opening night. That whole moment is crafted as what appears to be one long, uninterrupted shot. The camera glides through the crowd as Sammie, played by Miles Caton, stands beneath a single spotlight. He starts off soft — barely above a whisper. It doesn’t feel like a performance. It feels like a confession. A ritual. A prayer.

Then, the music begins to shift. From classic Delta blues to gospel, jazz, hip-hop, even synths — all flowing together like memory. But it never feels chaotic. It just feels true. The camera moves fluidly through genre and time. There’s a ballerina dancing beside a DJ booth that logically shouldn’t exist in 1932, but somehow does. A child twirls near a woman in traditional African attire. Ancestral spirits appear briefly — not acknowledged, but definitely felt.

This scene isn’t just a show. It’s an offering. And it’s Sammie who’s channeling it all.

Coogler and composer Ludwig Göransson built this scene with reverence. There’s no flashy editing, no cutaways to tell you how to feel. It’s intimate. Spiritual. Unforgettable.

Another standout moment for me was when the vampires — especially their leader — burn under sunlight. The tension, the choreography, the sound. So much power in that scene, and yet it’s all executed with such restraint. It felt simple, but it shook me.

And I have to mention the scene where Sammie meets Stack and Mary years later. Their conversation? It just... landed. The dialogue felt lived-in, natural, emotional in a quiet way. That scene made me smile.

That said, I do have one small gripe. The climax — where Smoke stabs the leader with the dagger — felt slightly off. It was just too convenient. Like... how did he get there just in time? And where were the other vampires who were supposedly right behind him? That moment broke the flow for me a little. But maybe that’s part of the cinematic charm. Maybe that’s just hero timing.

Still, Sinners is a solid 10/10 for me. Powerful performances. Flawless casting. Incredible music and visuals. A storyline that’s bold, symbolic, and unafraid. It’s not just a horror film — it’s a layered, emotional experience.

Thank you for reading. I’ll probably be thinking about this one for a while.