When Ryan Coogler sits down to discuss his latest work, it’s impossible not to feel the gravitational pull of his passion for storytelling. Known for deeply personal and culturally impactful films like Fruitvale Station, Creed, and Black Panther, Coogler is now venturing into uncharted territory with his fifth directorial feature, Sinners. Hosted by Juju Green, also known as Straw Hat Goofy, the roundtable interview shed light on the creative depth behind the film, the challenges of tackling new genres, and the enduring partnership between Coogler and Michael B. Jordan.
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A dynamic duo: Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan
It’s no secret that Coogler and Jordan have become a powerhouse creative team in Hollywood. From Fruitvale Station to Black Panther, their collaborations have redefined Black representation on screen. In Sinners, the duo takes on an entirely new challenge: horror. “I’ve found a kindred spirit in Mike,” Coogler shared. “He’s someone with God-given charisma, an incredible work ethic, and a constant desire to push himself.”
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Ryan Coogler gives a speech at Michael B. Jordan's Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony: "I love you, bro. Proud of you, man." https://t.co/JPXJaScKpm pic.twitter.com/qjRSY4NV8Z
— Variety (@Variety) March 1, 2023
Jordan stars in Sinners as twin brothers—a feat that demanded not only nuanced performances but also a deep dive into the psychology of twins. Coogler worked closely with twin consultants to help Jordan craft the subtle and profound differences between the characters. “It’s Mike like I’ve never seen him before,” Coogler said, beaming with pride. “Both performances are absolutely brilliant.”
Horror, but make it personal
While Sinners is Coogler’s first foray into horror, the genre feels like a natural evolution of his work. Known for weaving personal stories into rich, cinematic tapestries, Coogler drew inspiration from his own family history for this film. “This is my most personal film yet,” he admitted. The story is rooted in the deep South, influenced by the life and legacy of his maternal grandfather, a Mississippi native who later moved to Oakland, California.
The film also honors Coogler’s late uncle, whose love for blues music became a central theme. “He wouldn’t talk much about Mississippi unless he had a little sip of Old Taylor whiskey and was listening to the blues,” Coogler reminisced. Sinners explores the intersection of music, culture, and the supernatural, with the blues serving as both a narrative and emotional backbone.
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Genre-fluid storytelling: “It’s not a vampire movie, it’s a movie with vampires,” says Coogler
Coogler has always pushed boundaries, and Sinners is no exception. Described as “genre-fluid,” the film blends horror, drama, and historical fiction. Yes, there are vampires, but as Coogler clarified, “That’s not the only supernatural element.” For Coogler, the supernatural serves as a vehicle to amplify the real fears and moral complexities faced by the characters.
“I think horror works best when it takes real fears and then heightens them,” Coogler explained. His favorite horror films, he noted, are those where the supernatural could be stripped away, and the story would still resonate.
A cinematic love letter
Shot on large-format film, Sinners is as much a visual marvel as it is a narrative one. Coogler collaborated with cinematography legends and sought advice from none other than Christopher Nolan to capture the immersive power of IMAX. “It’s my love letter to the theatrical experience,” he said. “There’s nothing like watching an exhilarating movie in a packed house full of strangers.”
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The film’s setting—the deep South during the Jim Crow era—is brought to life with painstaking detail. Coogler immersed himself in research, speaking with his nearly 100-year-old grandmother and tracing the blues trail in Mississippi. The decision to use IMAX and Ultra Panavision 65mm formats wasn’t just about spectacle; it was about transporting audiences into the world of Sinners. “It’s a time that’s often overlooked in American history, specifically for Black folks,” Coogler noted. “This was a chance to give that era the cinematic treatment it deserves.”
The heartbeat of Sinners: Music
Music is a character in its own right in Sinners. Coogler enlisted frequent collaborator Ludwig Göransson to compose the film’s score. The pair traveled to the birthplace of blues, bringing along Göransson’s father, a guitar teacher, for inspiration. “This film is about American music more than anything else,” Coogler said. Göransson’s score, described as unlike anything he’s done before, blends the raw, haunting essence of the blues with a modern sensibility.
Why Sinners matters
Ryan Coogler has always been a trailblazer in his commitment to telling Black stories with nuance and authenticity. Sinners continues that legacy while venturing into new territory. By blending elements of horror with a deeply personal narrative, Coogler not only expands his own creative boundaries but also challenges the genre to evolve.
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As Juju Green aptly noted during the interview, “It feels like Sinners is reshaping the essence of storytelling in the horror genre.” With its rich cultural backdrop, groundbreaking visuals, and emotional depth, Sinners isn’t just another horror movie—it’s a cinematic experience.
A must-see theatrical event: In theatres April 18, 2025 across Canada
Coogler ended the interview with a passionate plea for audiences to see Sinners in theaters. “This is what it was made for,” he said. With a release date set for April 18 domestically (April 16 internationally), Sinners promises to be a genre-defying masterpiece that celebrates the magic of cinema while honoring the complexities of Black culture and history.
For fans of Ryan Coogler, Michael B. Jordan, or anyone who loves bold, innovative storytelling, Sinners is a film you won’t want to miss.
