The American period supernatural horror film Sinners, released in theaters on April 18, 2025, is written, produced, and directed by Hollywood director Ryan Coogler in the year 2025. Michael B. Jordan plays twin brothers in the film. The film is set in 1932 Mississippi with a star cast including Hailee Steinfeld, Miles Cotton, Jack O’Connell, Wunmi Mosaku, and Delroy Lindo. The film mixes Jim Crow era, blues music, vampire horror, and gangster drama to give a unique cinematic experience. How is this movie? Let’s watch a human review in Telugu!
What is the story?
This story takes place in Clarksdale, Mississippi in 1932. Sammy Moore (Miles Cotton), the son of a preacher, is a brilliant blues guitarist. He rushes into church with a bloodied face and a broken guitar neck, where his father (Saul Williams) is giving a sermon. The story begins in a flashback to a day earlier. Sammy's cousins, Smoke and Stock (Michael B. Jordan), are twin brothers who fought in World War I and later worked with Al Capone's gang in Chicago, and now return to their hometown. They plan to open a juke joint (nightclub), and recruit Sammy to perform that night. But before their grand opening night, vampires—specifically a music-loving vampire named Remmick (Jack O'Connell)—arrive and everything turns upside down. These vampires, combined with Jim Crow era racism and the fear of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK), throw Smoke, Stock, Sammy, and their love interests Annie (Wunmi Mosaku) and Mary (Hailee Steinfeld) into a survival horror. Can these gangster brothers, blues musicians, fight the vampires and save their community? The story is.
What's the movie like?
Sinners is a big-scale, genre-defying horror blockbuster that mixes blues music, vampire horror, gangster drama, and social commentary. Directed by Ryan Coogler (Black Panther, Creed), the film is shot on 70mm IMAX and Ultra Panavision cameras, making it visually stunning. The cinematography (Autumn Durald Arkapau) richly captures the dusty roads, cotton fields, and juke joint vibe of 1932 Mississippi. The first hour of the film focuses on character building—the smoke, stock gangster background, Sammy’s blues talent, and Annie and Mary’s love stories give the film emotional depth. Sammy’s performance scene at the juke joint, connecting African drummers, Afrofuturist guitarists, and Chinese dancers with blues music, creates cinematic magic—this scene is the highlight of the film!
The film makes a rug-pulling genre shift in the style of From Dusk Till Dawn with the entry of vampires in the second half. Remmick's vampires are seductive and bloodthirsty, and their hive-mind society shows a unity that is free of racism—but dangerous to humans! The zombie fight scenes are intense and gory, but Coogler weaves social commentary (Jim Crow racism, the KKK threat, the struggles of the black community) seamlessly into the story. Ludwig Goransson's musical score gives the film soul with a mix of blues and rock opera. However, the film's third act feels a bit rushed and unsatisfying—the final confrontation is not as impactful. The mid- and post-credits scenes, while they close the story, can feel like box-checking to some.
Cast, Technical Team
Michael B. Jordan Smoke is impressive in his dual role as Stock—he balances vulnerability in Smoke with toughness in Stock. His charisma carries the film. Miles Cotton shines in his debut role as Sammy—his bluesy performance and emotional scenes are impressive. Wunmi Mosaku (Annie) and Hailee Steinfeld (Mary) add depth to their roles, and Jack O’Connell impresses as the creepy, charming Remmick. The supporting cast also includes Delroy Lindo, Jaymee Lawson, and Buddy Guy (special appearance).
Technically, the film is top-notch. Atom Durald Arkapov's cinematography, Hannah Beachler's production design, and Ruth E. Carter's costumes richly recreate the 1932 era. Ludwig Goransson's score is the heartbeat of the film, and Michael P. Shaver's editing balances the slow burn of the first half with the intensity of the second. However, some of the CGI vampire effects look a bit cheap, and third-act pacing issues keep the film from being a perfect hit.
Highlights
Unique mix of blues music, vampire horror, and social commentary
Michael B. Jordan, Miles Cotton Stellar Performances
Stunning 70mm IMAX Visuals, Rich Period Setting
Jook Joint Performance Scene, Ludwig Goransson Score
Cons
Rushed Third Act, Unsatisfying Final Confrontation
Some Cringe Dialogue, Cheap CGI Effects
Slow First Half May Feel Dragging to Some
Post-Credit Scenes Feel Like Box-Checking
Who should watch it?
Sinners is a treat for those who like genre-mixed horror films like Get Out and From Dusk Till Dawn, and social commentary films like Black Panther. Michael B. Jordan fans, blues music lovers, and those waiting for the IMAX experience will enjoy this film. However, those expecting straight-up horror or fast-paced action may find the first half slow. Family audiences should watch with caution due to gory violence, sexual scenes (no nudity but seductive moments), and language. Telugu audiences can watch this film in theaters in Telugu and English versions—the best experience is when viewed in IMAX 70mm!
Rating: 3.5/5
Sinners is Ryan Coogler's most ambitious film, stylishly blending blues music, vampire horror, and Jim Crow-era social drama to become one of the best blockbusters of 2025. Michael B. Jordan and Miles Cotton's performances, stunning visuals, and a blues score make the film memorable. While a rushed third act and a few silly moments keep the film from being perfect, it's a bold, entertaining ride. See it in theaters, especially IMAX—you don't want to miss this blues-filled vampire adventure!
Release Date: April 18, 2025
Streaming: In theaters (Telugu, English, Hindi, Tamil)
Cast: Michael B. Jordan, Miles Cotton, Hailee Steinfeld, Wunmi Mosaku, Jack O'Connell, Delroy Lindo
Director: Ryan Coogler