Did I just have a spiritual awakening with this film? I think I did. Sinners has the best usage of music in a horror film that I have ever seen. Director Ryan Coogler collaborated with composer Ludwig Göransson. Together, they created a soundtrack that will easily be one of the best of the year. It’s difficult to talk about Sinners and not focus on the music. It could have ultimately hindered the horror aspect of the film. However, it makes the scenes of horror even more impactful. Ryan Coogler continues to prove that he is one of the best film makers we have around right now. Sinners can already be called a modern horror classic. What follows below contain minor spoilers to the plot of the film, please read at your comfort.

The best way to describe Sinners is simple. Sinners is a vampire period piece that uses the delta blues as its setting. Michael B. Jordan stars as identical twins Smoke and Stack. Jordan proves that he is a great actor by pulling double duty. It could have easily been distracting and hard to tear apart. However, Jordan and Coogler do an amazing job with the twins. Smoke and Stack come back to the Mississippi Delta to open their own club. In the first quarter of the film, we ride along with Smoke and Stack. We are introduced to all of the characters that will play an important factor in the story. This is where the importance of music starts to appear in the film.

The character of Sammie, played by Miles Caton in a breakout role, is the most important character of the film. Sammie is the cousin to Smoke and Stack and is the catalyst to the events that happen throughout the film. Sammie is an aspiring musician that is performing for the first time at the club. But we find out that music can also bring out the devil.

Very much like Dusk Till Dawn, Sinners takes place in one place for the majority of the film. In Dusk Till Dawn, the vampires attack the strip club. In Sinners, the vampires are trying to get into Smoke and Stack’s club. Instead of ignoring the cliches in vampire films, Coogler leans into them. Embracing the cliches is actually a positive as it provides some of the most visually stunning moments. Now thinking about it, Sinners is a better version of Dusk Till Dawn. Sinners use of music and the Jim Crow era in Mississippi allows the film to expand on the vampire mythology.

Sinners is by far my favorite film of the year. This is a vehicle for Michael B. Jordan, but so many other performances standout. A film that could have easily leaned heavily into action, instead is saved for the pivotal moments. Acting, music and sex makes this film sing. Hailee Steinfeld gives a very sensual performance and when she is on screen, she steals it. My two favorite performances of the film are from Wummi Mosaku and Delroy Lindo. Wummi who continues to stand out in everything she is in, is a commanding force as Mary. Delroy is just perfect casting as the grizzled blues player Delta Slim. The only nitpick that I have for Sinners, is that I wanted more scares. The vampire action is great and that is why I wanted more focus on horror. I feel this decision was made to ensure that people who do not like horror films could still enjoy this film.

If you love the blues and vampire films, this film is for you. As a comic book fan, I couldn’t help to think that Ryan Coogler should adapt Bitter Root from Image Comics. I loved this film but can’t help thinking about the potential films that could spawn from Sinners’ success. Sinners features great action scenes and some terrifying moments with unforgettable music. I already want to watch it again and already have the soundtrack on repeat.