Summary:
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Ryan Coogler’s Sinners debuts with a 98% Rotten Tomatoes score.
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Critics praise its musicality, genre blending, and emotional depth.
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The film premieres in theaters worldwide on April 18, 2025.
Ryan Coogler’s Sinners is already earning acclaim ahead of its theatrical release. Early reviews from critics praise the film’s daring style, genre-mixing ambition, and standout performances. With an impressive Rotten Tomatoes score, Sinners is positioning itself as one of the most talked-about horror releases of the year.
What Is the Rotten Tomatoes Score for Sinners?
Sinners currently holds a 98% Tomatometer rating based on 65 critic reviews. The film initially maintained a perfect 100% score for over 50 reviews before dipping slightly, signaling a strong consensus of critical approval.
Early social media reactions already hinted at a positive reception, and the full reviews confirm it. Critics have largely highlighted Sinners as a bold, genre-defying debut for Coogler in the horror space.
This high score places Sinners among the most critically successful horror debuts in recent memory, particularly for a director making their first entry into the genre.
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What Are Critics Saying About Sinners?
The film has drawn praise across a broad spectrum of media outlets, each pointing to different strengths—from its stylistic flourishes to its emotional and political subtext (The Direct).
Megan Navarro of Bloody Disgusting singled out the film’s musical approach as a powerful asset, calling it “an electric, lively first horror effort from Ryan Coogler.” She also noted that music functions as a conduit, adding emotional charge to the horror experience.
Robbie Collin from the Daily Telegraph called the movie “a joyous oddity” and expressed admiration for its revolutionary tone, noting that audiences can’t help but wish it success even if its daring sensibility challenges mainstream appeal.
Kristen Lopez from The Film Maven described the film as “horny,” “brash,” and “everything,” pointing to its energy and creativity. She highlighted an extended step-dancing scene that exemplifies the film’s unique tonal mix.
Richard Lawson of Vanity Fair praised Sinners as “propulsive and stirring entertainment,” noting that it may be “messy but always compelling.” He emphasized how its swirl of genres and ideas creates a uniquely American cinematic identity.
David Ehrlich of IndieWire characterized the movie as a “bloody, muscular, barrelhouse of a vampire movie” with a deep bluesy rhythm and a visceral creative force. He suggested it might be Coogler’s most personal film to date.
Brian Truitt of USA Today called the film “a fright fest that’s musical and meaningful,” praising its surrealist detail and emotional resonance.
David Rooney from The Hollywood Reporter described Sinners as “a blood-drenched mixtape that shouldn’t work—but it does.” He attributed its success to Coogler’s muscular direction, the cast’s performances, IMAX-scale visuals, and a soul-stirring soundtrack.
Kambole Campbell of Little White Lies drew comparisons to Coogler’s time at Marvel, stating that the director is now “free to tackle political ideas and play with technique.” He commended the elation captured in the film’s musical sequences.
Tim Grierson from Screen International acknowledged the movie as “a little overstuffed,” but ultimately praised its expertly-staged fright sequences that tap into broader societal fears and emotional unrest.
Elizabeth Weitzman of Time Out emphasized the film’s ambition, calling it “audacious” and noting that even its less cohesive elements contribute to an experience that leaves viewers dazed and awed.
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What Is Sinners About and When Does It Release?
Set in the 1930s American South, Sinners follows Smoke and Stack, twin brothers portrayed by Michael B. Jordan, as they open a Juke Joint in Mississippi after a long stint in Chicago. Their dream is quickly challenged not only by the presence of the KKK but also by a supernatural threat in the form of vampires.
Sinners is Ryan Coogler’s first horror film, diverging from his previous work in the Creed series and the Marvel Cinematic Universe. His approach blends psychological horror, race-based historical trauma, and supernatural folklore, while injecting the story with vibrant musicality and Southern culture.
The film is scheduled for worldwide theatrical release on April 18, 2025. It will be released in IMAX and standard formats, though no streaming date or platform has been officially announced.
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How Does Sinners Compare to Other Horror Debuts?
The early reception for Sinners places it among some of the most critically successful horror debuts by established directors. While Jordan Peele’s Get Out and Ari Aster’s Hereditary made headlines with strong first entries into the genre, Coogler’s debut is being recognized for its unique stylistic blend and thematic complexity.
Rather than rely on traditional scares or jump-scare tropes, critics note that Sinners leans into emotional horror, racial history, and musical storytelling. The use of period-accurate music and the physical space of the Juke Joint serve as both narrative devices and cultural battlegrounds.
With its bold genre mixing—grindhouse, arthouse, surrealism, and musical—Sinners offers a distinctive voice in the horror space. That ambition, according to several reviewers, may not resonate with every viewer, but it positions Coogler as a filmmaker willing to take creative risks far outside his comfort zone.
With a 98% Rotten Tomatoes score and enthusiastic reviews from major critics, Sinners has quickly become one of the most anticipated films of 2025.
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