A stylish and unique version of a story we've seen before
Sinners has a lot to like. The atmosphere, cinematography, music, and acting are all top-notch, while the plot and dialogue leave a bit to be desired.
The comparison has been made plenty of times already - but yes, this movie largely follows the same plot beats as From Dusk Till Dawn. A pair of criminal siblings head south to put some distance between themselves and their latest score. They end up in a rural tavern with lots of drinking and music, only to have the party crashed by some bloodthirsty vampires.
What makes this stand out from the Tarantino/Rodriguez classic is the setting. Instead of dusty 1990s Texas, it's sweltering 1930s Mississippi.
The movie works best when it leans into this atmosphere, particularly in the beginning. The fantastic cinematography lends an authenticity that instantly reminded my of Flowers of the Killer Moon. You feel the heat, you see the sweat, and it transports you into the past for a time.
Music also plays a key role. One of the main characters is an aspiring musician, and two big musical performances steal the show in surreal scenes that can only be described as something like Baz Lurhmann meets David Lynch. Without a doubt the highlight on the movie.
The actors all do a great job. Michael B Jordon is a tough act to follow in his duel roles, but Hailee Steinfeld and the great Delroy Lindo also have their moments. Jack O'Connell is also quite memorable as the Irish vampire.
The biggest flaws come from the script. The derivative plot has already been mentioned, but that could have been overlooked had the dialogue and characters been really great. Unfortunately, both are average. The twin brothers follow almost the exact same arc as the brothers in From Dusk Till Dawn - beat for beat.
The dialogue also seemingly gets more modern as the film progresses, which can take you out of the fantastic gothic setting. Coogler also seems to have a bit of an obsession with cunnilingus. It was amusing the first couple of times, but after like SIX blatant references it started to get a little tiresome. Come on Ryan, even Tarantino limits his foot-fetish stuff to once or twice a film.
Ultimately, Sinners is a very enjoyable film. The unique setting and great production values outweigh some clunky writing. Definitely recommended.
The comparison has been made plenty of times already - but yes, this movie largely follows the same plot beats as From Dusk Till Dawn. A pair of criminal siblings head south to put some distance between themselves and their latest score. They end up in a rural tavern with lots of drinking and music, only to have the party crashed by some bloodthirsty vampires.
What makes this stand out from the Tarantino/Rodriguez classic is the setting. Instead of dusty 1990s Texas, it's sweltering 1930s Mississippi.
The movie works best when it leans into this atmosphere, particularly in the beginning. The fantastic cinematography lends an authenticity that instantly reminded my of Flowers of the Killer Moon. You feel the heat, you see the sweat, and it transports you into the past for a time.
Music also plays a key role. One of the main characters is an aspiring musician, and two big musical performances steal the show in surreal scenes that can only be described as something like Baz Lurhmann meets David Lynch. Without a doubt the highlight on the movie.
The actors all do a great job. Michael B Jordon is a tough act to follow in his duel roles, but Hailee Steinfeld and the great Delroy Lindo also have their moments. Jack O'Connell is also quite memorable as the Irish vampire.
The biggest flaws come from the script. The derivative plot has already been mentioned, but that could have been overlooked had the dialogue and characters been really great. Unfortunately, both are average. The twin brothers follow almost the exact same arc as the brothers in From Dusk Till Dawn - beat for beat.
The dialogue also seemingly gets more modern as the film progresses, which can take you out of the fantastic gothic setting. Coogler also seems to have a bit of an obsession with cunnilingus. It was amusing the first couple of times, but after like SIX blatant references it started to get a little tiresome. Come on Ryan, even Tarantino limits his foot-fetish stuff to once or twice a film.
Ultimately, Sinners is a very enjoyable film. The unique setting and great production values outweigh some clunky writing. Definitely recommended.
- alexnloy
- 4 jul 2025