By: Max Jasper

June 2, 2025

“For a vampiric being to enter any owned property, whether they’re humans, witches, werewolves, or doppelgängers, they must be invited first.” — Vampire Diaries Wiki

I’m somewhat indifferent to the classic horror monster that is the vampire. Back in elementary school, some of my classmates were really into vampires, not in a full-on “South Park vamp kid” way, but enough to bring them up constantly, especially as Halloween rolled around. I thought vampires had unique aspects, but never quite understood the hype. Perhaps that was due to my lack of vampire knowledge then (and now), or perhaps it was because, at their core, vampires are a bit dull. Sure, they have cool-looking fangs, can suck blood, can transform into bats, and are allergic to garlic, yet I found those characteristics to make vampires one of the more mundane horror creatures out there.

The vampires in Ryan Coogler’s 2025 horror/adventure “Sinners” share those characteristics but don’t present themselves as entities of gothic evil. While they certainly are the antagonists of the film, how the lead vampire, Remmick (Jack O’Connell), acts is quite endearing when compared to famous vampires such as Count Orlok or Dracula. Remmick is a friendly vampire, only wanting to transform the humans of Clarksdale, Mississippi to give them the gift of “eternal life.” Yet, Remmick faces a major obstacle: a party at Club Juke, a newly established juke joint founded by identical twin brothers, Smoke and Stack (Michael B. Jordan). The club caters to the Black community in Clarksdale, except for Mary (Hailee Steinfeld), Stack’s former fling. What sets this film apart is the characters’ unease over Remmick’s possible ties to the Ku Klux Klan.

Remmick, of course, is unable to get inside Club Juke without a verbal invitation, so he stays outside. Yet his presence piques the interest of Stack, the unguarded brother, who tells Mary to go and interrogate Remmick to see if he is actually a good guy. Unfortunately for Stack, this is one of the biggest mistakes (or, shall we say “sins”) of the main characters. Mary is transformed into a vampire off-screen and then gets mistakenly invited inside, where she wreaks havoc, transforming Stack into a vampire along with a few of the other patrons.

During this time, the film primarily follows musical prodigy Sammie “Preacher Boy” Moore (Miles Canton) as he shares his gift for blues music with Club Juke, all while trying to win over Pearline (Jayme Lawson). As the story unfolds, it’s revealed that Sammie is the vampires’ top target. They seek to transform him, harnessing his soulful sound to lure potential recruits into their grasp. Music plays a vital role in the film, serving as both a representation of Clarksdale’s community and a powerful reflection of its racial divide. Music ends up being the greatest weapon of the film, as shown by Sammie’s guitar, which becomes the key to stopping the vampire’s reign once and for all.

My favorite scene in the film is its powerful ending, where an elderly Sammie plays electric blues in a club aptly named Pearline’s. As Stack and Mary step inside, they offer Sammie a choice: embrace immortality or let his life run its natural course. He chooses the former, but confesses that the unforgettable night at Club Juke was the “best day of his life.” In a quiet moment of understanding, Stack and Mary agree before walking away, leaving Sammie alone.

This ending is deeply impactful, revealing that the true villains of the story were never the vampires. It was the Ku Klux Klan. While the Klan plays a relatively minor role in the larger narrative, their aim is clear: the elimination of Black lives. In contrast, the vampires seek unity, regardless of race and class. This is why Stack and Mary give Sammie the choice. They recognize the struggles he’s endured and leave him to decide whether to remain in a flawed world or step into one where differences dissolve.

Despite its powerful ending, I did have a few critiques of “Sinners”. First, the title. My friend John told me he had participated in a Warner Bros. survey a few months before to help determine the film’s name. The studio was torn between “Sinners” and “Damned”, with the former ultimately winning. However, neither title quite captures the essence of the story. A more fitting name, in my opinion, would have been “Club Juke”, given that the club serves as a major obstacle for the vampires and its music is so electrifying that it awakens musicians from both the past and future. Additionally, when Smoke annihilates the Ku Klux Klan members outside the club, he does so with such passion, clutching onto that night as if it were the most significant moment of his life.

Another issue I had was the pacing. The first act moves slowly, dedicated almost entirely to character introductions. While these moments are valuable, especially since many characters share the same fate, the buildup lingers longer than necessary. The second act, however, is where the film truly shines. Club Juke’s introduction breathes life into the narrative, making the venue feel like an unstoppable force of its own, a character in its own right. That illusion of invincibility shatters when Grace Chow (Li Jun Li) foolishly allows the vampires inside, setting off a thrilling climax. Grace’s decision is infuriating, but it leads to such a gripping sequence that I can’t complain.

With that being said, Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners” is a terrific film. With its fantastic performances, incredible cinematography, and tremendous set design, it is a film that I feel will remain significant for a long time. While some pacing choices felt unusual, the film remains an engaging horror piece, one that I could easily see earning a few Academy Award nominations.

All things considered, I’d rate “Sinners” a respectable four out of five stars.