Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan have found a hit on their hands with their latest film, Sinners. The supernatural thriller, which debuted in theaters on April 19, 2025, has achieved remarkable success, receiving an A grade from CinemaScore, a metric that gauges audience reactions to films. This accomplishment marks the highest-ever CinemaScore grade for an original R-rated horror movie and also stands as the highest-rated film of Coogler's career, surpassing previous collaborations with Jordan, including Fruitvale Station, Creed, Black Panther, and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
Typically, horror films struggle to earn high CinemaScore grades. Recent releases like Drop and Heart Eyes received grades of B and B-, respectively, while Sinners achieved an A, placing it above other films with A- scores, such as A Quiet Place: Part II and Five Nights at Freddy's. Critics and audiences alike have responded positively to Sinners, with the film boasting a Certified Fresh score of 98% on Rotten Tomatoes and a Verified Hot audience score of 96%.
Box office numbers further reinforce the film's success, as Sinners drew nearly $20 million from its Friday and preview screenings alone. This performance puts the film on track to exceed its initial box office expectations of around $20 million for the three-day weekend.
Coogler, who both wrote and directed the film, has expressed no immediate plans to turn Sinners into a franchise. He stated, “I’ve been in a space of making franchise films for a bit, so I wanted to get away from that,” according to Ebony. “I was looking forward to working on a film that felt original and personal to me and had an appetite for delivering something to audiences that was original and unique. I wanted the movie to feel like a full meal: your appetizers, starters, entrées and desserts. I wanted all of it there. I wanted it to be a holistic and finished thing. That was always my intention.”
The film stars Michael B. Jordan in a dual role as identical twins Smoke and Stack, who return to their hometown in 1932 Mississippi, only to find it inhabited by supernatural forces. Alongside Jordan are notable actors such as Hailee Steinfeld, Miles Caton, Jack O'Connell, Wunmi Mosaku, and Jayme Lawson.
In Sinners, Jordan faces the unique challenge of portraying twins, a task he has never encountered in his decade-long collaboration with Coogler. To bring the characters of Smoke and Stack to life, Jordan had to film scenes multiple times, switching between the two brothers. He shared with TODAY.com how he prepared for the role, stating, “Ryan had these two brothers, the twins Noah and Logan Miller, and they were like twin consultants. So I got an opportunity to talk with them about their experiences growing up as twins and the psychology behind it.”
The Millers provided Jordan with insights into the twin bond, even guiding him through a “twin meditation” to help him better understand their connection. This preparation was crucial for Jordan as he developed distinct identities for Smoke and Stack, incorporating subtle differences in their personalities and mannerisms.
Both characters exhibit contrasting styles; Smoke is often dressed in shades of blue, embodying a cutthroat attitude, while Stack sports suits with red accessories and gold in his teeth, presenting a more playful demeanor. Jordan also worked with a dialect coach to refine the southern accent for both brothers, ensuring authenticity in their portrayal.
In addition to the actors' performances, the film's atmosphere was enhanced by the music played on set, which varied depending on whether Jordan was portraying Stack or Smoke. Mosaku noted, “There was definitely a song that we played, Michael and I, around some of our scenes. We played Sade’s ‘By Your Side.’” Meanwhile, Steinfeld revealed that during her scenes with Stack, she listened to Lauryn Hill's “Ex-factor,” describing it as a song that resonated with her character's complicated history with Stack.
The film has garnered attention not just for its box office success and critical acclaim, but also for its rich storytelling and character development. As Smoke and Stack navigate their tumultuous past and the supernatural elements of their hometown, the film explores themes of brotherhood, loyalty, and the impact of one's roots.
As audiences flock to theaters to experience Sinners, the film's unique blend of horror and human emotion sets it apart in a genre often dominated by formulaic narratives. With its strong performances, particularly from Jordan, and Coogler's masterful direction, Sinners is poised to leave a lasting mark on the horror genre.
With Sinners now playing in theaters nationwide, viewers are encouraged to witness the gripping tale of Smoke and Stack, a story crafted with care and intention, marking a significant achievement for both Coogler and Jordan in their ongoing collaboration.
