New film Sinners , directed by Black Panther and Creed filmmaker Ryan Coogler, has earnt a rare horror movie record.
The genre-hopping supernatural thriller arrived on wave of hype after extremely positive reviews – and an initial teaser trailer that gave away nothing about the plot.
All that was known about the film, which Coogler wrote, was that it follows a pair of twins, both played by Coogler’s frequent collaborator Michael B Jordan, who return to their hometown to discover “a greater evil”.
A second trailer – not to mention reviews of the film – have given away what that “greater evil” is, but it’s been claimed that Sinners is best enjoyed without knowing what tricks it has up its sleeve.
The world appears to agree: after 246 reviews, the film, which was shot in IMAX and cost an estimated $100m, has an impressive score of 98 per cent on aggregate site Rotten Tomatoes.
This is an impressive score for what is sure to be a blockbuster release for Warner Bros – and is even higher than both Black Panther and Creed, which have scores of 95 per cent. But it’s the film’s CinemaScore that has broken a record.
For 47 years, CinemaScore has measured a film’s appeal by polling early reactions – and Sinners has become the first ever horror film to receive an A rating.
In comparison, Jordan Peele’s Get Out, which went onto win an Oscar, received an A- while Ari Aster’s critically acclaimed Hereditary received a D+.
The Independent’s Clarisse Loughrey wrote in a four-star review that Sinners feels like “some kind of final stand for original ideas”, adding: “One can only hope audiences recognise its bounty of riches.”
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Loughrey also commended the score from composer and executive producer Ludwig Göransson – and praised the blues music featured in the film played by Miles Caton in his screen debut.
The film is set in 1932, and is based in the American South during the Jim Crow era, when laws perpetuated racial discrimination.
Taking place largely over one day and night, the film follows Jordan’s twins as they open a juke joint for an evening of drinking. music and entertainment. But things take a turn following the arrival of the mysterious Remmick, who is played by Jack O’Connell.
“Coogler intertwines song and the supernatural, linking West African traditions with the legendary claim that bluesman Robert Johnson acquired his talents when he sold his soul to the devil at the crossroads,” Loughrey wrote.
Joining Jordan, Caton and O’Connell in the cast are Hailee Steinfeld, Wunmi Mosaku and Delroy Lindo.
Sinners marks the fifth time Coogler has worked with Jordan since their first collaboration, Fruitvale Station, was released in 2013. It is out in cinemas now.
