On Boxing Day 2025, Sky Cinema and Now (with cinema membership) welcomed what many critics are already calling one of the standout films of the year: Sinners. Directed, produced, and written by Ryan Coogler—the visionary behind Creed and Black Panther—the film plunges viewers into the sultry, tension-filled world of the Mississippi Delta in 1932. But this isn’t just another period drama. With its unique blend of family saga and supernatural thriller, Sinners has become a cultural flashpoint, winning over critics and audiences alike.
Michael B. Jordan leads the cast in a challenging double role as identical twins Stack and Smoke. The brothers return to their hometown to open a juke joint, hoping to create a haven for the local Black community. But as opening night approaches, old wounds resurface. Stack’s ex-girlfriend Mary, played by Hailee Steinfeld, and Smoke’s estranged wife Annie, portrayed by Wunmi Mosaku, bring emotional complexity to the twins’ homecoming. Their cousin Sammie, played by Miles Caton, joins the effort, adding warmth and humor to the preparations. The ensemble is rounded out by Jayme Lawson, Omar Benson Miller, Delroy Lindo, and Saul Williams, each contributing to the film’s textured depiction of community and kinship.
Just when the festivities are set to begin, the story takes a sharp left turn: a group of vampires descends upon the juke joint, sending the characters—and the audience—into a frenzy. According to Digital Spy, this twist is handled with such confidence and style that it elevates Sinners into a league of its own. The Travers Take captured the mood succinctly: “Sinners is like nothing you’ve ever seen. It’s divisive, dangerous and primed to explode.”
The critical response has been nothing short of rapturous. Sinners boasts a near-perfect 97% score on Rotten Tomatoes—a rare feat for any film, let alone one that so boldly blends genres. The Los Angeles Times gushed, “What a blood rush to exit Ryan Coogler’s Sinners aware that you’ve seen not merely a great movie but an eternal movie, one that will transcend today’s box office and tomorrow’s awards to live on as a forever favourite.” Slant Magazine added, “Sinners is one of the most distinctive, confident mainstream films of the modern era.”
Hailee Steinfeld, who has been turning heads on both the silver screen and the red carpet for over a decade, plays a pivotal role in the film’s emotional landscape. In an exclusive interview with Digital Spy, Steinfeld opened up about how Sinners helped her connect with her own heritage. “There are themes in this movie that will have you walking away with questions and thinking about bigger picture scenarios,” she explained. Steinfeld’s late grandfather was half-Filipino and half-Black, and though she never had the chance to discuss his experiences directly with him, the film “led to so many wonderful and emotional and educational conversations” within her family. “My grandfather, who is my connection to this, is no longer with us, and if he was, there are questions that I would ask him.”
She continued, reflecting on the film’s evocative setting: “Being in this set that was so beautifully done, it just begs the question of what our ancestors went through and what they had to go through for us to be here now, living the life that we live.” Her performance as Mary is layered with this personal resonance, bringing an added depth to the film’s exploration of legacy, trauma, and hope.
Steinfeld’s star power extends beyond her acting chops. Her red carpet appearances have become events in their own right, chronicled by outlets like USA Today. From her Oscar-nominated turn in 2010’s True Grit to her roles in the Pitch Perfect and Transformers franchises, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Steinfeld has built a career defined by versatility and charisma. In 2025 alone, she was seen at the Super Bowl LIX NFL Honors with her NFL beau Josh Allen, at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party, and at Netflix’s Arcane premiere. Her fashion choices—often bold, always elegant—have made her a fixture on best-dressed lists, and her presence at industry events is a reminder of her enduring appeal.
But it’s her work in Sinners that has truly captured the zeitgeist this year. As Digital Spy and other outlets have noted, the film’s arrival on Sky Cinema and Now (with cinema membership) on December 26, 2025, was met with both anticipation and acclaim. For many, it represents a new high-water mark in Ryan Coogler’s already impressive filmography. The director’s ability to weave together historical drama, horror, and social commentary is on full display, and the cast rises to the challenge with performances that are both nuanced and electrifying.
The film’s setting—the Mississippi Delta during the Great Depression—serves as more than just a backdrop. It’s a crucible for the characters’ struggles and triumphs, a place where music, memory, and myth collide. The juke joint, lovingly recreated by Coogler and his team, becomes a symbol of resistance and resilience, a stage for both celebration and confrontation. When the supernatural invades this space, the resulting chaos is as much about the legacy of oppression and violence as it is about literal monsters.
For Steinfeld, the experience of making Sinners was transformative. Her reflections on family, history, and identity echo the film’s central questions. What do we owe to those who came before us? How do we honor their sacrifices while forging our own paths? In her words and in her performance, Steinfeld invites viewers to grapple with these questions long after the credits roll.
As the year draws to a close, Sinners stands as a testament to the power of bold storytelling and fearless performances. It’s a film that refuses to be easily categorized, daring viewers to confront both the horrors of the past and the possibilities of the future. With its critical acclaim, star-studded cast, and timely themes, Sinners is poised to remain a cultural touchstone well beyond 2025.
Whether you’re drawn in by the promise of a vampire thriller, the allure of a period drama, or the magnetic performances of actors like Michael B. Jordan and Hailee Steinfeld, Sinners offers something for everyone. It’s available now on Sky Cinema and Now—don’t miss your chance to experience what many are already calling a modern classic.