Ryan Coogler is known for pulling from a wide array of cultural references to shape his storytelling. But his latest revelation may surprise even the most dedicated filmaholics.
In a recent interview on Get REC’D with Straw Hat Goofy, Coogler shared that the menacing vampires in his upcoming supernatural thriller Sinners were heavily influenced by DreamWorks’ animated hit Puss in Boots: The Last Wish—specifically its fan-favorite villain, Death.
“I love animated movies, bruh,” Coogler said to the interviewer before asking if he has ever seen Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.
“That’s a massive one,” Coogler said of the film’s impact. “Think about the villain [Death]—think about his defining features, the eyes. Think about his demeanor.”
The hooded wolf-like Grim Reaper in The Last Wish captured viewers with an eerie stillness, glowing red eyes, and haunting whistles. For Coogler, that was exactly what he wanted to infuse into Sinners, albeit through a darker, bloodthirsty lens.
The influence was also brought to life thanks to Coogler’s lead storyboard artist, Luis Gonzales—a Pixar veteran whose resume includes The Iron Giant, Wakanda Forever, and both Black Panther films. Gonzales, according to Coogler, boarded nearly 80% of Sinners and was instrumental in crafting its chilling visual tone.
Director Ryan Coogler reveals that the movie “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” was a massive influence on his film “Sinners.”
— The Art Of Dialogue (@ArtOfDialogue_) April 13, 2025
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Sinners stars Michael B. Jordan in a dual role as twin brothers who return home to find their community has some vampiric evil. The cast also includes Hailee Steinfeld, Jack O’Connell, Wunmi Mosaku, Jayme Lawson, Omar Miller, Li Jun Li, Delroy Lindo, and breakout star Miles Caton.
The film has already stirred buzz for its approach to format and visual storytelling, with Coogler recently going viral for a breakdown video in which he explains how audiences can choose different film formats to experience Sinners. But it’s his candid embrace of animated films as legitimate sources of inspiration that’s adding another layer of intrigue to the project.
“I love animated movies, bruh,” Coogler said with a grin. “Like, Puss in Boots? That movie is my jam.”
Sinners hits theaters on April 18.
