Ryan Coogler’s Sinners brings Ernie Barnes’ iconic painting The Sugar Shack to life, giving audiences a vivid glimpse into the complexities of Black life in the 1930s Delta.
The film explores freedom, Christianity, and wealth within the Black community, while drawing parallels to how these issues continue to be examined today, reminding us that many are still dancing with their chosen devils in the present day.
Take a look at these seven powerful takeaways from Sinners. (SPOILERS AHEAD)
Trauma is a Lifelong Companion
There’s no denying that a large part of the Black experience is harrowing, built on struggle and trauma. Sinners shows us firsthand how one event, in a single night, can contribute to a lifetime of pain. Like many of us, Sammie (Miles Caton) carried that trauma with him throughout his life.
In the post-credits scene, now an old man, he reveals that he still has nightmares about that night. Too often, Black people aren’t given the space or time to heal—we simply press on. But trauma isn’t always destructive; it works in mysterious ways. The terror of that night ultimately became the push Sammie needed to leave Mississippi.
No More Cookout Invites
As summer and cookout season approaches, we must start rescinding cookout invites. Black spaces are sacred and must be gatekept at all costs. We’ve seen how the wrong guest, like Mary (Hailee Steinfeld), has a way of inviting unwanted company, and how the invited guest, like Grace (Li Jun Li), wants out as soon as things go left and there’s nothing left for them to gain.
Grace saying, “I ain’t come here for this,” made it clear her sole purpose for attending was monetary, not to support her friends. Meanwhile, Mary, the tragic mulatto, chose outsiders over her own family, ultimately ruining what could have been a good thing.
Black Capitalism = Black Freedom
Smoke’s (Michael B. Jordan) reaction to Annie (Wunmi Mosaku) accepting fake money speaks to the freedom and wealth Black people sought during that time. Alternative forms of currency, such as wooden coins, were often used for trade.
Our own money determines our wealth, not the wealth of white people. Black currency builds a wealthy Black community and protects it from destruction through colonization. The importance of Black Capitalism was made clear in the fact that the juke joint was never going to be profitable because of the community it served. Black Capitalism provides Black freedom. Black capitalism is a pathway to Black freedom.
Listen to Black Women
For generations, Black women have been the anchor of this country. They save us from danger and sacrifice themselves so we can live better lives. But their true power and magic lie in their intuition. Annie’s diligence in prayer and spiritual practice allowed her to sense evil at every turn. Many of the events that unfolded that night could have been avoided if only they had listened to her. But no one listens to Black women… until it’s too late.
Your Gift Breeds Envy
Since the beginning of time, leaving the church to pursue secular music has been met with turmoil and disappointment, as it’s often seen as serving two masters. That’s how the blues earned its nickname: “the devil’s music.” But we know that pain fuels passion, and it’s often implied that musicians must suffer and wrestle with personal demons to create.
Sammie’s gift of music was powerful, electrifying, and it attracted envy. Remmick made that clear when he said, “I want your songs. I need your stories.” His character can be seen as a representation of the music industry, draining the lifeblood from artists, or as a cultural vulture. He craved Sammie’s gift above all else. This theme plays out across the film, all the way to the post-credit scene, where Stack tries to manipulate Sammie by using his age as leverage.
Even the reciting of The Lord’s Prayer wasn’t necessarily in vain, but rather a tactic—using familiar language to persuade him. Sammie’s gift ultimately saved his life, both literally and figuratively. He never gave up his songs. And as the saying goes, the gift comes without repentance.
Black Men are Not Monolithic
Smoke and Stack (Michael B. Jordan) represent two types of Black men. Although they share a traumatic experience, their outcomes differ, leading them to seek different things in life. Smoke, though he may not admit it, is rooted in spirituality. The grief and love he shares with Annie keep him grounded, even as he longs for more.
Stack, on the other hand, embraces a mentality of assimilation, which ultimately leads to the downfall of those around him. His thirst for power, believing it to be the key to freedom, is the only path he knows. But in his pursuit of liberation, he ends up losing more than he gains.
The Timing Wasn’t a Coincidence
Over the weekend, we celebrated the resurrection of Christ, a holiday commemorating Jesus’ return three days after his crucifixion, symbolizing new life, victory over death, and the promise of eternal life. At the same time, Ryan releases a movie titled Sinners, which features vampires.
The correlation between vampires, who suck blood and grant immortality, and the Christian ritual of communion, where believers eat bread and drink wine as symbols of Jesus’ sacrifice, reveals how many acts of faith across cultures and beliefs share striking similarities. Ryan’s inner world and creative choices deserve to be studied.
Sinners is a film encompassing many modern-day and cultural viewpoints while giving a history lesson on Black music, Black Christianity, and white supremacy. Not to mention the lingering impact of the Jim Crow-era “one-drop rule.” The film doesn’t shy away from exploring how white supremacy and Christianity have historically coexisted, as Coogler highlights the contrast between American Christianity and Black Christianity, emphasizing that the latter is deeply rooted in Black spirituality.
The film addresses spirituality in all its richness, capturing the essence of the Black diasporic faith experience. The dichotomy and nuance of the film rest in its rich emotion, all while being intentional about the sins we welcome into our lives.
Photo Credit: Warner Bros.
