Read our full review of Sinners (2025), a haunting musical horror film starring Michael B. Jordan in dual roles. Directed by Ryan Coogler, this supernatural drama is one of the year’s most powerful films.
Sinners (2025) – Movie Review
Directed by: Ryan Coogler
Written by: Ryan Coogler
Starring: Michael B. Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld, Delroy Lindo, Wunmi Mosaku, Jack O’Connell, Miles Caton
Genre: Musical Horror, Supernatural Drama
Language: English
Runtime: 138 minutes
Release Date: April 18, 2025
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Introduction
Sinners (2025) is a hauntingly poetic blend of musical, horror, and historical drama, written and directed by acclaimed filmmaker Ryan Coogler. Set against the backdrop of the Great Depression-era Mississippi Delta, the film explores themes of trauma, spiritual reckoning, and brotherhood through a unique cinematic lens. Led by a stellar performance from Michael B. Jordan in dual roles, Sinners is both a terrifying ghost story and a profound reflection on generational sin, guilt, and redemption.
With an ensemble cast, a powerful score by Ludwig Göransson, and Coogler’s signature social depth, Sinners is one of the most ambitious and talked-about films of 2025.
Plot Summary
The story is set in 1932, in the deeply segregated and superstition-steeped South. Michael B. Jordan plays twin brothers Caleb and Joshua Rivers, who return to their hometown in the Mississippi Delta after nearly a decade of absence. Hoping to reclaim their family’s farmland and rebuild their lives, they soon find the community burdened by whispers of a curse—a supernatural evil that has awakened with their arrival.
As the brothers struggle to reconnect with their past, buried secrets resurface. One brother is haunted by guilt, while the other appears possessed by something far more sinister. Strange music drifts through the fields at night, ghostly apparitions stalk the swamps, and a history of violence returns to claim what it’s owed. What follows is a chilling journey into madness, memory, and myth.
Performances
Michael B. Jordan delivers one of the finest performances of his career. His portrayal of the dual characters—gentle and conflicted Caleb and charismatic yet increasingly unhinged Joshua—is mesmerizing. Jordan’s physical and vocal differences between the two roles are subtle yet masterful, making it easy to forget that both characters are played by the same actor.
Hailee Steinfeld plays Grace, a resilient schoolteacher who grew up alongside the brothers. Her role brings emotional weight and clarity as she becomes both a moral compass and a catalyst for truth. Delroy Lindo, as the enigmatic preacher Reverend Moses, offers a layered, unsettling performance that blurs the lines between salvation and damnation.
Supporting performances from Wunmi Mosaku, Jayme Lawson, and Miles Caton further flesh out the richly atmospheric world, contributing to the film’s thematic complexity.
Direction and Writing
Ryan Coogler once again demonstrates his ability to fuse genre storytelling with deep social commentary. With Sinners, he ventures into musical horror, a rare and challenging space, and emerges with a work that is both viscerally unsettling and emotionally powerful. The film’s script is intelligent, weaving Southern Gothic elements with African American folklore, Christian imagery, and historical trauma.
Coogler’s decision to integrate musical sequences—songs sung by spirits, gospel choirs, or hallucinating characters—is bold and deeply symbolic. These musical moments are never jarring; instead, they feel like organic expressions of grief, longing, and fear.
Themes and Symbolism
At its core, Sinners is about the sins of the past—both personal and communal—and how they manifest in the present. The haunted land is a metaphor for America’s legacy of racial violence, inequality, and generational trauma. The supernatural elements serve as an extension of inner torment, making this film not just a ghost story, but a story of reckoning.
Themes include:
- Brotherhood and betrayal
- Redemption and self-sacrifice
- Faith vs. fanaticism
- The power of memory and music
- Historical injustice and spiritual healing
Cinematography and Music
Autumn Durald Arkapaw’s cinematography captures the misty swamps, decaying churches, and oppressive heat of the Deep South with haunting beauty. Every frame is rich in mood, shadows, and symbolism. There’s a constant interplay between light and darkness, echoing the duality of the film’s characters and themes.
Ludwig Göransson’s score is a highlight—melding blues, gospel, and horror motifs into an emotional and eerie soundscape. The film’s original songs, performed by the cast, are lyrical and gut-wrenching, with one standout track, “No Blood on My Hands”, already considered an early Oscar contender.
Editing and Pacing
Edited by Michael P. Shawver, the film flows deliberately, allowing tension and mystery to build slowly. While the runtime of 138 minutes might feel long for casual viewers, the pacing serves the story’s psychological depth and atmospheric build-up. Flashbacks are smoothly integrated, and the transitions between musical interludes and dialogue are seamless.
Final Verdict
Sinners is a genre-defying masterpiece that blends horror, history, and heart into a unique cinematic experience. Ryan Coogler proves once again why he’s one of the most visionary directors of his generation. With outstanding performances, haunting visuals, and a soul-stirring soundtrack, Sinners is not just a movie—it’s an exorcism of America’s darkest ghosts.
This is not your typical horror film. It’s poetic, political, and profoundly personal. Sinners is a must-watch for fans of elevated horror, historical dramas, and bold musical storytelling.
Best Movie Review(BMR) Rating : 4.8/5
Pros:
- Powerful dual performance by Michael B. Jordan
- Unique blend of musical and horror elements
- Richly layered themes and symbolism
- Gorgeous cinematography and compelling score
- Thought-provoking, emotional, and terrifying
Cons:
- Pacing may feel slow for some viewers
- The genre mix may not appeal to mainstream horror fans