It’s only May, but Sinners, the Ryan Coogler-directed drama/horror/thriller, the one that’s been performing brilliantly at the box office, is my favourite movie of 2025.
There’s a chance it won’t stay my favourite come December. Nevertheless, you may be impressed to learn that I, your friendly, usually horror-avoidant film fanatic, sat through the entire movie, after which I had almost only good things to say about the experience.
The cinema was packed, and yes, I may have been the only person who screamed on at least four specific occasions, but, instead of nightmares, the things that have stayed with me post-viewing are:
- How visually and thematically beautiful Coogler’s film is.
- How worthwhile, super-well executed, memorable and rousing the two main musical moments are.
- Perhaps, most importantly, in addition to being an entertaining and well-written drama/horror/thriller, Sinners cleverly reflects back to many black Americans, in particular, both ancestrally and otherwise, so much of their experience. It does this so well that I imagine it’s impossible not to feel seen.
- Lastly, I must experience Sinners again on the big screen before it’s gone. This particular thought keeps replaying.
The entire Sinners cast performed well. However, standouts for me include Michael B. Jordan, of course. I love how easy he made it for viewers to distinguish between the twins without heavy reliance on costume or props. There’s also Jack O’Connell, an actor I’ve been rooting for ever since I saw his brilliant work in Starred Up (2023).
Watch Sinners if you’re curious and have the temperament. I may have been impatient for things to get going at the start, but I have zero regrets about screaming my way through my first horror film since Midsommar (2019).
Watch it and delight, probably.
Happy Film Loving,
G
