Ryan Coogler's upcoming vampire horror movie Sinners is getting universal acclaim from critics. While Sinners won't be released theatrically until April 18, the movie recently made its Rotten Tomatoes debut with a rare perfect 100% approval score based on 35 reviews.
Note that the 100% score was there at the time of writing this article, though it may decrease in the coming days as more critics publish their reviews. Still, even if it goes down a little, getting 100% approval at any point is impressive.
The supernatural film reunites Coogler with Creed and Black Panther star Michael B. Jordan, who takes on a unique role in this movie as twin brothers Smoke and Stack. Seeking a fresh start from their troubled lives, the twins return to their hometown. But all is not as they left it. Something evil is waiting there to welcome them home, specifically a nest of vampires.
Jordan is joined by an impressive cast that includes Hailee Steinfeld, Jack O'Connell, Miles Caton, Wunmi Mosaku, Jayme Lawson, Omar Benson Miller, Li Jun Li, and Delroy Lindo.
So, how did Coogler's film earn that rare 100%? Critics are hailing it as "mesmerizing," "sexy," "blood-drenched," and "epic." It expertly blends arthouse with popcorn-movie blockbuster vibes and features a few stellar musical performances.
Vanity Fair reviewer Richard Lawson says, "Sinners is propulsive and stirring entertainment, messy but always compelling." At The Hollywood Reporter, David Rooney praises "Coogler's muscular direction" and the "terrific cast," along with its "body-quaking sound and music that stirs the soul."
Others appreciate how Coogler is deftly able to reinvent genres, moving from superhero movies to a boxing drama trilogy and now a big and bold vampire period drama.
The Warner Bros. movie will be out in theaters soon, and hopefully, it will perform well at the box office so we can get more films like this one that experiment and take risks.
Filming for Sinners started in New Orleans in April 2024. Made on a budget of approximately $90 million, Variety suggests that Sinners needs to make at least $185 million to break even. It is estimated to rake in about $40 million for its opening weekend. Fingers crossed that audiences show up for Sinners because it looks like a masterpiece, and critics clearly agree.