By Zoey Gibson
Photo and drawing by Zoey Gibson
Audiences went into the theatres to watch the movie Sinners, directed by Ryan Coogler, expecting a vampire movie with a focus on horror and action. They came out with a story of race, identity, culture, and survival in the Jim Crow South. Focusing more on the black experience and the commonly overlooked history of Chinese immigrants in the Mississippi delta, Sinners gained both admiration and controversy.
One of the biggest reasons audiences were so connected with Sinners was because of its authentic representation of marginalized communities, in particular, Black and Chinese Americans living in the Mississippi Delta during segregation.
“I don’t think in my wildest imagination I could have guessed what was going on,” Sinners Cultural Consultant, Dolly Li says on a proximity podcast. The intense histories and back stories of this film go beyond imagination, with spiritual and religious elements, and cultural tales of African, Chinese, and Irish Americans.
In the early stages of production, many, like Dolly Li, wondered what these cultures could have to do with a Ryan Coogler movie, more specifically, a vampire one. According to a Mississippi History Now article, the Chinese immigrants “carved out a distinctive spot as a third element in a predominantly biracial society,” often facing exclusion from both Black and White communities. Many Chinese families survived through running grocery stores, where several generations worked and lived. In NPR’s discussion with Raymond Wong, he explains that many Chinese Americans, like himself, were “raised in a grocery store, literally,” while facing constant discrimination.
“We’re not black, we’re not white. So that by itself gives you some isolation,” Wong said.
These historical backgrounds directly influenced the characters of the Chow family, specifically Grace Chow. Some viewers criticized her character for one of the decisions she made in one of the movie’s most debated scenes. Others defended her character as someone trapped between survival and loyalty.
“While what she did may have endangered the other characters,” Willow student Skylar Williams said, “she acted as a human and a mother, and everyone hated her for it.”
The backlash coming from the viewpoint that Grace was a traitor to the black community brings up many emotions in many viewers.
“It’s likely that she often may have felt alienated in her neighborhood being one of the only Asians, (no one else speaking her native language),” Williams said, “and I think that her being excluded in the fandom somewhat reflects that.”
Other backlash comes from religious communities criticizing the way Christianity was displayed and how Hoodoo was incorporated. Some, but not many, native communities criticized the little screentime and backstory the Native American vampire hunters had.
Large-scale audiences were negative about the movie overall for not even being scary enough for their liking or for having too much focus away from vampires.
“People get uncomfortable with the reality of how awfully black people were treated in America not too long ago, and so they tend to shy away from the topic,” Williams said. “When many went to see Sinners, they expected a vampire movie, not a movie about the black experience that happens to have vampires, and that’s why they reacted so negatively.”
Many black audiences explain a close connection they felt with the cultural aspects of the movie.
“It gave me a new perspective on how my culture as an African American has so many influences, from Asian culture, through the way Asians and African Americans helped each other through various business practices, as seen in the scene with Stack and Grace’s interaction at their convenience store, or the blues,” Willow student Asha Robinson said.
“The film was created with so much passion and proper representation,” Robinson said, “it was beautiful to see my family’s culture projected properly on the screen with the directors and writers working hard to use the correct dialogue, dance, music, and dress. It felt as though I was truly seen.”
Although the film received backlash online, the Academy largely recognized its artistic achievements during Oscar season with 16 nominations in categories like Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay, and more. Many viewers believed Sinners deserved major awards, especially for acting, directing, and screenplay. Michael B. Jordan won Best Actor for portraying multiple versions of the Smoke-Stack twins.
“If Michael B. Jordan didn’t win, it was gonna be a major Oscar robbed,” Paige Moore said.
The film also won Best Cinematography, making history for Autumn Durald Arkapaw as the first woman of color to win in the category. Viewers like Moore praised the “technical and creative risks” taken throughout the movie’s visuals.
Many also believed that Ryan Coogler deserved Best Director and Best Original Screenplay.
Even in categories where the film didn’t win, audiences praised its music, costumes, production design, and overall ambition. Composer Ludwig Göransson received major praise for his music.
“It blended in perfectly with the story,” Moore said.
Ultimately, Sinners became more than just a horror movie. It opened conversations about race, immigration, segregation, and cultural identity while still delivering a visually ambitious and emotionally powerful story. Sinners became a true cultural phenomenon that will not be easily forgotten. From Halloween costumes inspired by the Smoke-Stake twins to the ongoing online debates, analysis videos, and positive reviews over a year after its release, the movie has continued to stay relevant far beyond the theatre.
