The Symbolism in ‘Sinners’
Ryan Coogler's film 'Sinners' is a Black horror movie that intertwines themes of sacredness and profanity set against the supernatural backdrop of the Jim Crow South. Michael B. Jordan stars as the Smokestack twins, Smoke and Stack, who return to their Mississippi hometown to open a juke joint with their cousin Sammie, whose musical talents attract white vampires. The film explores moral dichotomies, juxtaposing elements like the sacred guitar, church, and juke joint against the profane vampires and the lure of money. Sammie's guitar, a symbol of Black musical legacy, becomes a tool of both creation and destruction, reflecting the film's exploration of personal and cultural identity. Ultimately, 'Sinners' critiques the idea of a post-racial future promised by the vampires, emphasizing the enduring power and legacy of Black culture and identity.
The film 'Sinners' is both a box office hit and a critical success, featuring a blend of action-packed vampire horror with deep political subtext regarding sacred and profane elements in the Jim Crow South.
Michael B. Jordan plays Smoke and Stack, twins who open a juke joint in Mississippi with their cousin Sammie, whose blues music draws the attention of sinister white vampires, exploring themes of cultural appropriation and racial identity.
Sammie's guitar, believed to have belonged to blues legend Charley Patton, symbolizes the rich history of Black music, and its use in the film highlights the power of personal legacy and cultural heritage.
The juke joint, purchased from a Klansman, serves as a sacred space for Black joy and community, while simultaneously embodying the trauma and history of racial violence.
The film criticizes the vampires' offer of a post-racial future as a form of cultural erasure, emphasizing the importance of maintaining one's Black identity and cultural legacy despite promises of equality and assimilation.