At a press conference in Los Angeles on Friday, Director Ryan Coogler and his cast opened up about the making of the upcoming horror film “Sinners” and the relationships that refueled its emotional core.
From “Fruitvale Station” to “Black Panther,” director Ryan Coogler has long told stories rooted in personal history and cultural truth. With “Sinners,” his latest project premiering on April 18, Coogler brings that tradition to the horror genre by mixing supernatural folklore with grounded historical nuance in a film set in the 1930s.
In his return to the director’s chair, Coogler reunites with longtime collaborator Michael B. Jordan to bring “Sinners” to the big screen — a richly layered historical drama that explores identity, loyalty and unspoken forces that bind people across cultures.
“The shorthand has done nothing but get stronger,” Jordan said. “There’s just this mutual understanding, even non-verbal communication between us. We know how to move around each other.”
Coogler responded to Jordan’s sentiment and said, “the reality is our jobs are so different but Michael’s an empathetic guy. He grew up on film and television sets and he’s always been number one on the call sheet. It’s important to understand someone who has a value like yours.”
Michael B. Jordan, who last worked with Coogler on Creed III as both lead actor and director, returns to acting in “Sinners,” his first film since stepping behind the camera. Despite the shift, his working relationship with Coogler remains as intuitive as ever.
The film is set in the Jim Crow-era American South and follows intersecting lives within a juke joint in the Mississippi Delta, a microcosm of racial stereotypes at the time. With a star-studded cast and a deeply researched narrative, the film uncovers overlooked stories of Black and Chinese American communities, while delving into the horror side as well.
The film’s ensemble cast features Delroy Lindo, Li Jun Li, Hailee Steinfeld, Wunmi Mosaku, Jayme Lawson, Omar Miller and up-and-comers like Jack O’Connell and Miles Caton.
Lindo plays a community elder whose presence looms large, especially in the juke’s underground fighting ring.
“The more violent the fights were, the more choreographed they were,” Lindo said. “The first rehearsal I went to, the fight captain worked methodically with me. By the time we got on camera, we all knew exactly what we needed to do.”
Still, there was room for improvisation. “There was always space to incorporate what felt more organic to me as an actor. That’s what felt most real to me, especially when touching on aspects of the Black experience and culture,” Lindo said.
Cultural intersections are explored through characters like Grace (Li Jun Li), a Chinese American grocery store owner inspired by real Delta communities.
“I wasn’t aware this community even existed,” Li said. “You would never think a person like me would speak that way, but that’s part of what makes this story so important.”
The film doesn’t shy away from mystical realism, incorporating Hoodoo practices and African spiritual traditions and authenticity. Coogler consulted Hoodoo scholar Dr. Yvonne Chireau, who emphasized the spiritual accuracy behind the film’s Mojo bags (pouches believed to have spiritual properties in African American culture) and conjure practices.
The production, led by Coogler’s longtime collaborators, including Oscar winners Hannah Beachler (production design), Ruth E. Carter (costume) and Ludwig Göransson (music) were equally ambitious. From rebuilding a juke joint in a Louisiana swamp to training actors in blues guitar and vampire folklore, the process was as immersive as the story itself.
“This is the first time in my life where I feel agency,” Jayme Lawson, who plays Pearline, said. “Ryan created a space where we could explore that freely. He shared everything with us. Nothing was too precious. It was about finding truth.”
Ultimately, “Sinners” is more than a horror film, it’s a genre-defying journey through identity grief and the ghosts we carry. With towering performances and Coogler’s signature blend of grace, it lingers long after the credits roll.
“This movie was made to be seen with a crowd of people you don’t know,” Coogler said. “And when Sinners opens in theaters on April 18th, audiences will have the chance to sit in the dark together and leave the theater changed.”