Consecrated among the most promising directors on the Hollywood scene, after the success achieved with the Marvel comic films “Black Panther” and “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”, Ryan Coogler hits the mark again with his “The Sinners”, a film that has captured the attention of audiences and critics thanks to its surprising mix of horror, thriller and western. In the dark and criminal America of the 30s, the real scary ones will not be the demons of the past, but the dark and threatening presences that the two protagonists, despite themselves, will be called to face.
The plot revolves around the twins Stack and Smoke, who escaped from their homeland to start a new life. But it won't take long for them to realize that their dream of glory was actually a mere illusion. Upon their return to Mississippi, the discovery will be even more chilling: there will be some horrible vampires waiting for them, ready to give them a welcome back that they would never have expected.
Alongside the irreplaceable Michael B. Jordan, Coogler has this time decided to put aside superhero adventures to delve into an unprecedented scenario: a modern Southern Gothic that intertwines tradition and the occult against the backdrop of African-American society, crushed by the oppressive weight of racial laws.
After the excellent impressions received from the specialized press, “I Peccatori” recorded more than positive results at the box office since its opening weekend, confirming itself in line with market forecasts, which estimate a total takings of around 300 million dollars, against a budget of around 90 million.
Another interesting aspect is the clause wanted by Coogler to be able to get back from Warner the rights to exploit the franchise after twenty-five years. A condition welcomed positively by the major, in contrast to the usual commercial strategies of Hollywood studios, which aim to enrich their catalog with new intellectual properties to cultivate in the long term. It is therefore a rather unusual case, which could inspire other authors to move in the same direction in the future.
Excited by the success of the film, Coogler wanted to share a letter of thanks addressed to the public on the official Instagram page. The content of the text reads as follows: «Eternal gratitude. My heart overflows. I want to thank each of you who bought a ticket to see The Sinners. Those who decided to get in the car to see it in different formats. Those who bought popcorn and a drink, booked a babysitter, carpooled, those who stayed in the lobby after the screening to talk and maybe made friends. Those who changed their work shift. Those who saw the film in a group. I also want to thank those who saw it more than once, those who recommended it to others, in person, on social media or in chats».
Referring in another passage to the more intimate meaning enclosed by theater and cinema, he then added: «I believe in cinema. I believe in the theatrical experience. I believe it is a necessary pillar of society. That is why I and so many of my colleagues have dedicated our lives to this art. We cannot do what we do if you do not come to see us. Global audiences in theaters have allowed me to dream, find a career, and build a more sustainable life for myself and my family. And the only way I know to thank you is to continue to draw on my human experience and personal connections to tell new stories in the language of cinema. Every time you go to the movies, you allow us to come back and do it again. And together, perhaps, we can expand the definition of what a blockbuster is, a horror film, or an IMAX audience is. See you at the movies, bucket of popcorn in hand!».
With such a response, Coogler seems to be considering a possible expansion of the franchise, which could include a prequel film focused on the criminal past of the two twins, once led by Al Capone. In a recent interview, he commented on this: "For me, when I look at my favorite movies, it seems like the world existed before and will continue after. To know that my fans want another story about my characters, that's the best compliment you can get." Echoing him, Michael B. Jordan added: "It means you care about the characters, you want to know what happens to them."
