'Sinners' is the best movie of the year
Plus, a recommendation for an underrated Netflix action thriller.
Happy Friday!
Today I’m recommending you go to the theater. Out today is Ryan Coogler’s Sinners, my favorite movie of the year so far. Read my full review.
Plus: A streaming recommendation for an underrated action thriller on Netflix.
With love,
Karl
In Theaters
Sinners
Twins Smoke and Stack (both played by Michael B. Jordan) return to their small southern town to open up a juke joint in a barn on the outskirts of the city. With help from family and friends from the past, they throw the party of their lives. Unfortunately, those lives may be cut short when a mysterious stranger asks to join… fortunately, he can’t come in without being invited. Watch the trailer.
Why you should watch it: Sinners manages to be a folk horror, western drama, southern gothic, Blaxploitation thriller, quasi-musical and, oh yeah, a vampire movie exploring deeply rooted themes about our society while being one of the most devilishly entertaining movies of the year. Its slow-burn world-building immerses you in both the joys and tragedies of people of color of the 1930s while introducing you to a memorable cast of characters that you miss whenever they leave the screen. With inventive musical numbers and action scenes that will take your breath away, writer-director Ryan Coogler may have just given us his magnum opus. Read my full review.
🎬 Directed by Ryan Coogler
🖊️ Written by Ryan Coogler
🎭 Michael B. Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld, Miles Caton, Jack O'Connell, Wunmi Mosaku, Jayme Lawson, Omar Miller, Buddy Guy, and Delroy Lindo.
⏱️ 137 min
💌 Love or hate the movie? Let me know by replying to this email or leaving a comment.
Streaming on Netflix
The Old Guard
A group of centuries-old immortal warriors led by Andy (Charlize Theron) finds themselves under attack by a pharmaceutical company looking to study them for science. To survive, they must find their newest member Nile (Kiki Layne) and eliminate the threat. Here’s the trailer.
Why you should watch it: The Old Guard feels familiar. It follows the typical Hollywood action blockbuster formula, has the archetypes we’ve come to expect and a premise that we’ve seen before. Prince-Bythewood finds moments to give The Old Guard a completely singular flair that feels as invigorating as it is groundbreaking. Each character, some centuries years old and aware of the labors and joys of their immortality and some newly struggling with it, is finely carved out to have a past that informs their present motivations. They’re the definitions of lived-in.
In particular, it’s Nicky (Luca Marinelli) and Joe’s (Marwan Kenzari) story that feels most meaningful. Despite the uniqueness as a gay couple in a major action blockbuster, Prince-Bythewood treats them with normalcy, which adds to their impact. Their centuries-long love story has importance in their part of the narrative. Their love adds to the story’s stakes. It’s through their adversity that we also find their moral drive. [Full review]
📽 P.S. You can see every movie I’ve ever recommended right here.
🍅 I’m also a Tomatometer-approved critic on Rotten Tomatoes! You can find new movie reviews here and here.
🔗 Find me on Letterboxd and Bluesky.
One of the boldest, most original movies in recent years. Give Coogler anything he wants!