Ryan Coogler Talks “Genre-Fluid” Thriller ‘Sinners’ and the Supernatural Mystery Awaiting Michael B. Jordan’s Twins

‘Sinners’ is an upcoming American horror movie created by Ryan Coogler, who wrote, directed, and produced the film. The star-studded cast includes Michael B. Jordan, playing two roles as twin brothers, alongside Hailee Steinfeld, Jack O’Connell, Wunmi Mosaku, Jayme Lawson, Omar Benson Miller, and Delroy Lindo.

The story follows twin brothers trying to escape their troubled past by returning to their hometown, only to find an even darker threat awaiting them. The film is set to release in the U.S. on April 18, 2025, promising a chilling blend of suspense, drama, and horror.

Ryan Coogler is excited about stepping into the supernatural genre with Sinners. He explains that it was his first time fully exploring this type of film, and he loved it. Coogler took inspiration from movies he enjoyed growing up, analyzing what drew him to them and using those influences to shape his own story.

He points out that the supernatural genre has a unique connection with people, as it’s widely appreciated by both casual moviegoers and those who seek deeper artistic experiences.

According to Coogler, this genre feels ancient, almost like the first stories humans told around a campfire, yet it always manages to feel fresh. His excitement comes from how this genre can blend both timelessness and innovation, and he’s eager to see how his vision will play out within it.

It was my first time experimenting with the genre head-on, and I loved it. I got to dig into the films that I loved and analyse why I loved them, what drew me to them. I tried to really lean on those influences and figure out a way to tell my story in that space.

It’s interesting because it’s a genre that’s for the people. That’s for the popular consumers of film. But it’s also a genre that comes up when people ask about great pieces of art.

I think that it’s because it feels ancient. It feels like the first stories we probably told around a fire, but it also always feels fresh somehow, so it’s really interesting. I’m so excited to try my hand at it.

Although Coogler confirms there are vampires involved, he keeps things mysterious, emphasizing that the film is more than just about vampires. He describes Sinners as a “genre-fluid” film that blends different elements, promising surprises for viewers.

It’s genre-fluid so there’s also a lot of Cohen brothers’ influence in this, starting with Inside Llewyn Davis. There’s some O Brother, Where Art Thou?, some Fargo, definitely some No Country For Old Men.

But truthfully, the biggest influences are not in cinema. The novel Salem’s Lot is a massive influence on the film. Then there’s a real deep-cut influence. My favorite thing ever made is The Twilight Zone. and my favorite episode is called ‘The Last Rites of Jeff Myrtlebank’ – probably Salem’s Lot and The Last Rites of Jeff Myrtlebank are probably the biggest influences.

Salem’s Lot is about the town – I’m trying not to give too much up, but this movie’s about this community.

Coogler is also clearly proud of the cast he worked with on Sinners, which includes Michael B. Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld, Jack O’Connell, Wunmi Mosaku, Jayme Lawson, Omar Benson Miller, and Delroy Lindo. Coogler expressed feeling “like the luckiest guy in the business” because of the caliber of actors he had on board for this project. He highlighted how the actors took full ownership of their characters, which was particularly rewarding since the film is based on original material rather than any pre-existing books or comics.

Coogler compared the Sinners cast to the one from Black Panther, noting that while both were exceptional, this film’s cast is particularly exciting for audiences. Since Sinners is a brand-new story, viewers will be introduced to the cast and characters for the first time, making it an even more unique experience.

He also mentioned how the cast formed a strong community during the filming process in the South, looking out for each other and maintaining connections even after shooting wrapped. Coogler can’t wait for audiences to see the performances of his talented cast.

This cast reminds me of the Panther films, but in a way it’s maybe more exciting in that when audiences watch this, it’s gonna be the first time that they see these people – there are no books on it, there are no comics. They really made a community while we were shooting down in the south. They looked after each other. They’re still checking on each other. It was incredible to see. I can’t wait for folks to see what everybody does.

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