7 Black cinephiles on Sinners' impact
Black cinephiles, Southerners, historians and sociologists to the front: Here's what Ryan Coogler's Sinners (2025) means to us.
Welcome to the weekly dispatch, SENSUAL TERRORS: musings on creativity, movie culture, and some strange bits of life.
Ryan Coogler’s film Sinners is breaking records at the box office. But just as impactful as the way this film has captured mainstream attention is what Sinners means to Black cinephiles.
As someone who really loves movies, I have been very interested in hearing from other Black people who really love movies.
I’m interested in how other people value this film — not just as a spectacle to be enjoyed or a yet another piece of media to be dissected, but as a meaningful contribution to the Black film canon.
I reached out to Black movie-lovers, cultural anthropologists, proud Southerners and horror aficionados — people who really give a damn about media like this.
I had these six Black cinephiles fill out my Sinners questionnaire. The series of questions concerned their Sinners viewing experience, the context that influenced it, and how their opinion of Sinners changed after Round 2.
I didn’t realize I would end up seeing Sinners again so soon. As I assembled these questions and answers, I suddenly I had something thoughtful to contribute now, too.
Here’s what we had to say about Sinners.
1. Jazkia P. (she/her) ✢ Oakland, CA
writes In the Mood for Love on Substack, where she writes about grief and film. Check out her very niche, very Black “top four” films in her piece “black cinema is everything!” — because it is.
When did you see Sinners? ✢ 4/17/25
How many times did you see it in April? ✢ Twice!
Do you think you'll see it again? ✢ Yes, will definitely be watching it again!
How did you feel when you first saw Sinners? Who were you with and what theatre did you go to? ✢ I watched it for the first time by myself on opening day at the Grand Lake Theater in Oakland, CA.
Best decision I could’ve made, honestly!
I hate spoilers and always try to watch highly anticipated films as soon as possible to avoid them.
The theater was PACKED and thankfully full of about 90% Black patrons, so we all laughed and jumped and gasped at the same parts — which made the experience beyond special. I love us!!!
Did you see it in IMAX or some kind of large format? Do you feel like that made a difference? ✢ I’m spoiled by the fact that I live in the Bay Area and was able to see the film in 70mm Panavision as well as 70mm IMAX in the same week!
How did your viewing of the film change when you saw Sinners a second time? ✢ Seeing it in IMAX for the second screening completely changed my experience! Something about the aspect ratio changes gave even more character to the film.
How did you feel about Sinners’ portrayal of Black people, especially from the American South? ✢ Not sure how to answer this one, as the word “portrayal” makes me think of trying to fit into narratives that weren’t for us or by us.
Any film by a White director where Black people have more than a few speaking lines is a portrayal in my eyes.
Sinners isn’t a portrayal of Black people to me; it’s a mirror, with written testimony and magic pulling you through the glass.
Did this movie make you cry? If so, at what part? ✢ I cried about three to four times during each watch. I was surprised to find myself more emotional the second time around, even though I’d already seen the film and knew what was coming next.
The first time I cried during Round 2 was when Delta Slim told Sammie and Stack what happened to his buddy Rice. There were several times in the movie when Coogler employs this technique, but when Delta Slim recounts the story of his friend getting lynched and you can hear him dying and losing oxygen in the background…
My god. Absolutely bone-chilling. The use of sound to paint a picture of memory… wow, wow, wow. Instant tears.
How does Sinners stack up in the canon of vampire movies? How does Sinners stack up in the canon of movies about Black people? ✢ I think it has instantly become a classic in the Black American film canon, which includes many excellent vampire films that I love dearly.
The scene where Remmick just turned the KKK member into a vampire, eyes glowing, and then it fades into a shot of the midnight moon with the wife’s scream echoing in the background… I was literally smiling from ear to ear! I love classic motifs!!!
2. Bobbie W. (she/her) ✢ Florida
writes Loudest in the Room on Substack, where the ex-journalist and film scholar explores her writing practice — including a piece on Sinners.
When did you see Sinners? ✢ 4/18/25
How many times did you see it in April? Do you think you'll see it again? ✢ I have seen it once but I’ve already bought tickets to see it again! Maybe three times, LOL.
How did you feel when you first saw Sinners? Who were you with and what theatre did you go to? ✢ I was with a good friend (Black) and we went to a local theater in Denver, CO.
Did you see it in IMAX or some kind of large format? Do you feel like that made a difference? ✢ I haven’t seen it in IMAX yet! We saw it with “laser projection” though.
How did you feel about Sinners’ portrayal of Black people, especially from the American South? ✢ As someone from the South, I saw a lot of my older family members embodied in the characters. It was very moving for me to see our culture celebrated, rather than degraded, on a big screen by filmmakers who clearly executed the vision with admiration.
I thought that the Southern characters’ attachment to music as a method of getting through trauma was very affirming. I also thought that the authentic look of the characters was so amazing and as a plus-size Black woman, I loved Annie the most!
Did you see yourself in Sinners? Where and how? ✢ I did see myself in a lot of ways and I would say that it is a shocking thing, at first.
Like am I really seeing characters that look like me on the big screen, shown in a positive light?
But I welcomed it with open arms.
I saw myself in the way the characters used humor to navigate their relationships with other black people.
Did you see your family or friends in Sinners? Where and how? ✢ I also saw my family members in the conversations surrounding hoodoo and organized religion.
Slim reminded me so much of my older male family members, especially with his addiction to alcohol. I could go on and on.
Did this movie make you cry? If so, at what part? ✢ I cried when Smoke saw Annie with his baby at the end. It was a deeply emotional scene.
How does Sinners stack up in the canon of vampire movies? How does Sinners stack up in the canon of movies about Black people? ✢ I think it’s a unique script that happened to have vampires, but I wouldn’t say it is a traditional vampire story in the way that Blade is and I loved that about it.
It more so used vampire as a method to get its main ideas across to the viewers.
What do you think will be the legacy of Sinners? ✢ I think its impact will allow more women to take technical roles behind the camera. I also think casting will diversify more for bigger bodies. I also think it will be known to have one of the best original soundtracks/scores.
3. Dèdric a.k.a. Haint (he/they) ✢ North Carolina
is a horror enthusiast, graphic designer and physical media collector.
When did you see Sinners? ✢ 4/21/25
How many times did you see it in April? ✢ Twice.
Do you think you'll see it again? ✢ I plan to go again this week/end.
How did you feel when you first saw Sinners? Who were you with and what theatre did you go to? ✢ Overwhelmed, in a good way. I went alone to a Cinemark that I knew would have a decent-sized crowd.
Did you see it in IMAX or some kind of large format? Do you feel like that made a difference? ✢ The first time was regular format.
Second, I drove a little further to experience it in IMAX. Seeing it as intended 1000% made a difference.
I couldn't imagine never seeing it in IMAX [again], or seeing it in IMAX and then going to regular format.
I wish I could experience it again in that format for the first time.
How did your viewing of the film change when you saw Sinners a second time? ✢ I think the second time I watched, I was able to catch things I wasn't able to before —both thematically and visually. I cried less, HAHA.
But I was able to focus on aspects of the main characters’ relationships a bit better having viewed it before, but also now armed with additional context.
I'm a big ol nerd, but also neurodivergent. When I love a movie, it consumes me.
I tend to get lost in everything surrounding it. I listened to the soundtrack and score about 10 times and watched a few interviews between the first and second viewing.
How did you feel about Sinners’ portrayal of Black people, especially from the American South? ✢ I think Ryan Coogler did his research. The movie did a good job not portraying Black people as a monolith.
Every character had nuance, and we got a diverse pool to work with. Church goers, blues players, singers, business folks, veterans, schemers, and regular old country folk. Prior to the bloodbath you got to see us in community and having fun. I think that's what I enjoyed.
Did you see yourself in Sinners? Where and how? Did you see your family or friends in Sinners? Where and how? ✢ My family is country Black. My nickname/handle, Haint, I got from my mom because I couldn't be arsed to turn on lights at night.
I'd just walk through the house to use the bathroom, grab water, whatever. Often, I'd scare her and she'd tell me to stop walking around the house like a haint.
Sammie and his mother reflected my relationship with my own in the brief moments we saw. The playfulness but reverence for her.
My father was a lot like Sammie's — trade military for the church.
I see myself in Annie's rootwork, in Smoke's protectiveness, and Stack's impulsiveness.
I see my friends in the juke joint, in the car ride after Stack picks up Cornbread.
The fact that I could relate to so many moments these characters had, their motivations, resonated deeply with me.
Even though “your body remembers me" was mentioned in regard to a moment of passion, that's what I felt in this movie.
Sinners felt familiar. I felt it in my body. I felt a call I couldn't place watching it.
Did this movie make you cry? If so, at what part? ✢ Yes, goodness yes. When Smoke sees Annie and their child again… When Sammie asks if Stack feels the same about that day before the sun went down and we get another glimpse at the day with the score playing.
How does Sinners stack up in the canon of vampire movies? How does Sinners stack up in the canon of movies about Black people? ✢ I'll say this: I love From Dusk Till Dawn (1996). I'll [still] pick Sinners first.
I'd watch this in rotation with:
Dear White People (2014)
The Blackening (2022)
The Best Man (1999)
Nope (2022)
Boyz n the Hood (1991)
Moonlight (2016)
What do you think will be the legacy of Sinners? ✢ I think it will sit with Candyman (1992), Get Out (2017), Ganja & Hess (1973), The People Under The Stairs (1991), Eve's Bayou (1997) and the like in terms of essential Black horror.
This may be because of the state I was in when I first watched this, but: I feel this movie was deeply important to me. I have felt a bit disconnected in my craft, in my skin, and Sinners stirred something in me.
4. Michael M. (he/him) ✢ Charlotte, NC
is the writer behind One Mic: Black History on Substack and the creative behind the One Mic: Black History podcast. Check out his podcast episode on Sinners, available in audio format on his website and via YouTube.
When did you see Sinners? ✢ 4/20/25
How many times did you see it in April? Do you think you'll see it again? ✢ Just once but I'm hoping to see it again.
How did you feel when you first saw Sinners? Who were you with and what theatre did you go to? ✢ I thought it was amazing; I saw it by myself at Red Stone Cinema.
I enjoy movies about the Black experience, but not exclusively. This is why Sinners is great. However, I sometimes wonder if understanding us is a prerequisite for truly enjoying these movies.
How did you feel about Sinners’ portrayal of Black people, especially from the American South? ✢ This is my area of expertise and the film is quite accurate for the time period.
You can tell they did their homework and it shows, from the juke joints to the choice of villains.
Did this movie make you cry? If so, at what part? ✢ I didn't, but if there were a part, it would have been when Annie died.
How does Sinners stack up in the canon of vampire movies? How does Sinners stack up in the canon of movies about Black people? ✢ I don't watch a lot of vampire movies, but as far as period pieces about Black people go, I think he did very well. It's one of the best movies I've seen in a long time.
What do you think will be the legacy of Sinners? ✢ I believe it will be remembered among the best movies about the Black experience, similar to Get Out (2017).
5. Caro C. (they/them) ✢ Montgomery County, MD
is the creator of SENSUAL TERRORS on Substack.
When did you see Sinners? ✢ 4/17/25
How many times did you see it in April? ✢ I saw it twice!
Do you think you'll see it again? ✢ I’m chomping at the bit to see it again — hopefully dragging my family to see it, but I’ll gladly go again with friends.
How did you feel when you first saw Sinners? Who were you with and what theatre did you go to? ✢ I felt blown away. I was with my best friend, who took a chance on a horror film for me — and I’m grateful that she did.
We went to Alamo Drafthouse - Bryant St. location. Very important to have something to nosh on during the movie — I treated myself to wings.
Did you see it in IMAX or some kind of large format? Do you feel like that made a difference? ✢ I saw it Alamo’s Big Show format, so not quite IMAX. I’m glad I got to see it in a big format, and I fear I won’t get to see it in IMAX.
Trying to get tickets to go in NYC was a bloodbath and Chantilly, VA (the “nearest” DMV IMAX 70mm location) is not as close to Washington, D.C. as non-DMVers are making it out to be.
How did your viewing of the film change when you saw Sinners a second time? ✢ The initial screening I attended was very quiet and demure. My best friend said it may be a hallmark of Alamo’s “no talking” policy. The second time I saw it was at the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s theater — and that was a rollicking good time.
I overheard a multicultural group of Brooklynites asking each other what a “haint” was and how to spell it — I ended up chiming in shyly and teaching them a bit about my culture, which was well-received and felt good.
How did you feel about Sinners’ portrayal of Black people, especially from the American South? ✢ I have never seen anything quite like it.
How does Sinners stack up in the canon of vampire movies? How does Sinners stack up in the canon of movies about Black people? ✢ I haven’t really sunk my teeth into the full Black vampire canon.
I know need to watch the Blade films starring Wesley Snipes as an adult; I need to watch Vamp (1986) starring Grace Jones and I need to watch Vampira (1974) starring Teresa Graves. The Interview with the Vampire television reboot is also on my list.
My main Black vampire frame of reference is Aaliyah as Akasha in Queen of the Damned (2002).
But from what I gather, a lot of Black vampire representation only hints at the fact that these vamps can move throughout the world as they do despite being Black, because they are a vampire.
It was refreshing to see race be such an integral part of the horror, instead of a disposable element of the film. This weekend, when I attended a film screening and talk at the Lincoln Center, I had a conversation with a Black director about Coogler vs. Jordan Peele, and through talking, we kind of illuminated those respective differences in their films.
What do you think will be the legacy of Sinners? ✢ I think this will open up a world of opportunities for Black horror creators. We have known that we’re dope; now, the world finally starts to see the vision.
6. Tishon P. (she/they) ✢ Sumter, SC
writes Fake Cinephile Film Club on Substack. She also works as the programming and film coordinator for the New Orleans Film Society. They’re also a member of the Brown Girl Doc Mafia, the Programmers of Colour Collective,and Indie Media Arts South.
When did you see Sinners? ✢ 4/14/25
How many times did you see it in April? ✢ Once.
Do you think you'll see it again? ✢ I'm aiming to see it again. I live in one of five cities that has a theater showing Sinners on 70mm film, so I must experience it the way Coogler intended.
How did you feel when you first saw Sinners? Who were you with and what theatre did you go to? ✢ It was an electrifying evening and one of my top theater experiences to date. I was invited to attend a Warner Bros. early access screening alongside the Louisiana cast and crew who worked on the film.
I made friends with a background actor during the summer they were filming, and it was great getting to watch the film with her and other film professionals I've come to know and love!
The screening was held at the AMC Elmwood, which is my theater of choice in New Orleans.
Sitting through the credits and hearing folks around me clapping once they saw their name appear made me appreciate each and every job that helps a film to get made.
From being on set to seeing the film on-screen, I truly got to witness the power of cinema.
Did you see it in IMAX or some kind of large format? Do you feel like that made a difference? ✢ Saw it in IMAX. It definitely made a difference and immersed you in the film, especially when it came to the sound.
How did you feel about Sinners’ portrayal of Black people, especially from the American South? ✢ As a born-and-raised Southerner, the portrayal felt spot on. From the nicknames (I used to have a babysitter named Ladybug), costumes and sets, everything truly clicked and reminded me of home.
The accents could've used some more work, but I'm happy they didn't go down the stereotypical country accent route.
Black Southerners rarely ever get portrayed on screen as regular people, so I think Sinners is a step in the right direction. It makes me yearn for my true accent, my ancestors and wanting to know what their day to day life was like in the this era.
When I was younger, I wanted to own a juke joint and this revitalized that dream for sure.
Did you see yourself in Sinners? Where and how? ✢ Dark-skinned women to the front! I will never get over having nearly all the leading women be of a darker hue. It reminds me that I am desirable in every way.
Did you see your family or friends in Sinners? Where and how? ✢ I saw hints of my family in the church scenes. I grew up going to church at least four days out of the week and I could remember my grandmother scolded me for the “devilish” music I was listening to — it wasn't allowed in her house.
The scenes with Stack and Sammie driving down dirt roads reminds me of when I was younger and my dad would take my siblings and I to North Carolina, and we'd spend time with his side of the family.
Just as country as they could be — and back then, I couldn't recognize how meaningful it was for them to just be who they are.
I used to be embarrassed by it, but now I celebrate it.
Did this movie make you cry? If so, at what part? ✢ The music spanning centuries in the Juke Joint. You never really know how much and how far we've come as a people until you see something like that presented in front of you.
How does Sinners stack up in the canon of vampire movies? How does Sinners stack up in the canon of movies about Black people? ✢ I think Sinners will remain at the top of lists for vampire movies and movies about Black people, period. It's timeless and such a unique but classic tale. I find it hard to believe that it'll become a lost favorite.
What do you think will be the legacy of Sinners? ✢ I think it'll be mentioned in every Halloween top watches list from here on out— especially if the list is centered around vampires. I also expect to see Smoke/Stack Halloween costumes all over the web!!!
Outside of the fandom aspect, I think what Coovler has managed to do will remain a highlight in the playbook of being a Black director in Hollywood. He's inspired so many creatives to get back to work and opened up another door for work by Black Southerners to get made/take focus.
He took a risk, made something he wanted to make and it paid off. It'll be studied long after we're all gone. The story of Black Southerners, fictional or not, will remain relevant.
7. Bee (she/her) ✢ Bon Wier, TX
Bee makes horror content centered around book and film recommendations. She also has an extensive physical media collection.
When did you see Sinners? ✢ 4/18/25
How many times did you see it in April? ✢ Three times so far…
Do you think you'll see it again? ✢ 100% wanna see it again.
How did you feel when you first saw Sinners? Who were you with and what theatre did you go to? ✢ I was with my husband and my first thought was: It felt like home. The characters felt genuine.
Did you see it in IMAX or some kind of large format? Do you feel like that made a difference? ✢ I saw it at a larger format the first time; the second it was at a lower quality and it was a HUGE difference. So I can only imagine going to IMAX.
How did your viewing of the film change when you saw Sinners a second time? ✢ The second time, I noticed more IYKYK things that really were a nod to the south. I can’t even begin to explain it to someone who doesn’t understand.
How did you feel about Sinners’ portrayal of Black people, especially from the American South? ✢ I felt it was accurate. The characters reminded me of my family members: how they talk, the slang they used, the mannerisms.
Everyone has an uncle just like Slim.
Did you see yourself in Sinners? Where and how? Did you see your family or friends in Sinners? Where and how? ✢ I saw a good part of my family in Slim to be exact. He felt so real.
Also, the Southern things they said — “Let’s get funky like a Mississippi donkey.”
Did this movie make you cry? If so, at what part? ✢ The ending credit scenes are what got me… “The last time I saw my brother”… “The last time I saw the sun”…
Also Smoke and Annie: “Put that cigarette out and I’ll let you hold her… don’t want that smoke around the baby” — meaning she didn’t want Elijah’s alter-ego around the baby.
She wanted him to be present and to be the soft, put-together man he really is — not the side he showed everyone else.
How does Sinners stack up in the canon of vampire movies? How does Sinners stack up in the canon of movies about Black people? ✢ It hit the nail on the head for me because I’ve always seen vampires as a metaphor for love, lust, loyalty, and greed.
I feel like Sinners hit all of those: The love within the community willing to fight for life, the lust of Stack, the greed of Remmick wanting to use everyone’s gifts (specifically Annie and Sammie).
What do you think will be the legacy of Sinners? ✢ The representation of black southern people — how real it felt.
This was so illuminating! I enjoyed each one's insights. I've seen the movie twice. Both times in April, both on IMAX in Philly suburb and yes, I cried both times. The first time I cried was during the music through time juke joint scene. Second, with Annie, Smoke and the baby - all in white. That gutted me.
I loved Annie and who she represents in the beauty of black women. Shout out to Ryan in choosing an actor with body and darker skin💗. Felt SEEN.
I am going to see it for a THIRD time.🤗✊🏾Each time I pick up something different! This film is history.
And can we talk about first shots of the pristine white country church with the Pyramid shaped symbols outside and INSIDE the church? Gurl!
Love your vibe, girl! Keep doin' your thang!🫶🏾🫶🏾🫶🏾
LOVE THIS!! & this was posted at exactly the right time because I have a 9am ticket to see Sinners again today😭❤️