(Movie) Sinners
I finally watched Sinners after letting it sit in my backlog for ages. I never got the chance to see it in theaters because I was pretty busy last year lol. Now a year has passed and I’ve finally watched it! So here we go.
Synopsis
In 1932, identical twins and World War I veterans Elijah “Smoke” and Elias “Stack” Moore return to Clarksdale, Mississippi, after seven years in Chicago working for the Chicago mob. Using money stolen from criminal syndicates, they purchase an abandoned sawmill from the landowner Hogwood to open a juke joint for the local Black community. Their younger cousin Sammie, a singer and guitarist, joins them despite his pastor father Jedidiah’s warnings about blues music being sinful. - Wikipedia
My thoughts
I really think it’s a great horror film, and at least it’s one I can actually watch (I usually avoid horror because of jumpscares, but I’m fine with thrillers and some horror violence). I love how much the film emphasizes characterization. There are so many charming characters, and I especially love Sammie!
I also really appreciate that there’s historical context for why the setting is the way it is, particularly regarding American racial segregation and why some of the non-white characters are extremely cautious around white people. It makes everything feel authentic, and it doesn’t sugarcoat the setting, which I liked.
The Strenght
This movie puts music front and center as its biggest strength, and I was completely captivated. The cinematography is great too. Every shot is wonderful, and the music is always there to make each scene feel impactful. The script is also excellent, successfully conveying the characters’ personalities and the conflicts they’re dealing with.
The horror is great as well! Some scenes had me on edge, and it’s not so schlocky that it leans on jumpscares too heavily. Though personally, I think the movie could have used a bit more violence.
My complain
Of course I have some criticisms, and my biggest gripe is the lack of color, or rather how it falls into that “dark tone” trap where I couldn’t see the cast. MAYBE it’s my bad eyesight or my laptop, but I swear, during the night scenes I was so bothered by how dark everything was. I could barely make out what was happening, and the colors felt so dull. I get that it’s a horror movie and all, but surely it wouldn’t hurt to add a little color.
I also feel like the pacing is kind of a mess, especially in the first act, which drags in my opinion.
Score
Overall, it’s a solid horror film and definitely worth watching at least once. I’d give it 8/10.