Writer and director Ryan Coogler recently provided an in-depth update about the making of his upcoming period action horror movie Sinners, and the perspective he revealed has audiences more excited than ever about its release. The second trailer for Sinners provided some new information about the general direction of the plot, the additional elements at play, and the role of Hailee Steinfeld in addition to a more in-depth look at the 1930s setting. The movie will follow twin brothers (both played by Michael B. Jordan) who return to their hometown to find it riddled with evil in many forms.

Details about the movie have been steadily released over the last few months, but the trailer provided the clearest look yet. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Coogler provided even more details about not only what audiences can expect, but how the movie came together and where the roots of its concept originated. Coogler’s update made it clear that there is much more going on in Sinners than the supernatural vampire story, although that subject will still be explored in glorious and bloody detail that could make weak-stomached viewers look away.

Sinners Will Be A “Genre-Fluid” Movie

While There Will Be Supernatural Horror Elements, There Is Much More At Play

In a virtual press conference, Coogler provided more information about the archetypes that will be present in the movie aside from vampires. Since the movie is set in the Jim Crow Era South, there is a distinct cultural imprint that Coogler is able to tap into, and based on his interview, it seems as though the narrative of Sinners will include many of those concepts, making the movie less of a distinct horror movie despite the horror elements. Coogler noted:

“The film is very genre fluid,” Coogler said. “It switches in and out of a lot of different genres. Yes vampires are an element, but it’s not the only supernatural element in the movie. The film is about more than just that.

In addition to alternative supernatural elements (for example, the long-theorized magical connection between twins), Coogler noted that the movie was an exploration of American music, specifically as it relates to the culture and origins of blues music in the Deep South. With so many different elements contributing to the central narrative, it seems like a sure bet that Sinners will be an immersive cultural experience as opposed to a simple horror story.

Ryan Coogler Has A Huge Personal Stake In The Movie

Coogler Explored His Own History While Researching For Sinners

To hear Coogler tell it, Sinners will be the most deeply personal movie that he’s made to date. In the aforementioned interview, Coogler detailed how his grandparents grew up in the very environment explored in the movie, and that a conversation with his 100-year-old grandmother was part of his exploration of his family’s history. He considered making Sinners a therapeutic experience given how closely intertwined his personal history is in the narrative.

“I’m blessed to have found this medium that I can work out deep philosophical and existential questions that I may be struggling with while contributing to an art form that means so much to my family,” Coogler said. “Each film brings me closer to understanding myself and the world around me.”

Ever since the release of his award-winning debut movie Fruitvale Station, Ryan Coogler has been celebrated for his ability to shine a spotlight on cultures and people who have been overlooked or underrepresented. He will clearly be doing the same thing with Sinners, which figures to be an in-depth examination of both the beauty and evil of the Jim Crow Era South. With such a personal stake in the movie’s setting and background, expectations of Coogler’s work in Sinners are justifiably high.

Coogler Got Help From Christopher Nolan While Filming

The Legendary Filmmaker Provided Advice To Coogler

Another exciting detail that Coogler revealed about Sinners is the unique nature of how the movie was sH๏τ. Coogler noted that he sH๏τ it on 65mm film, which has a larger surface area than the standard filming mediums, and therefore yields a more high-definition look and feel to the images. While that was the standard decades ago, it fell out of favor in the 1980s-2000s, only to see a resurgence with the use of high-definition and Imax cameras. Coogler got advice from Christopher Nolan himself on how to best shoot large-format pH๏τography, which is about as high-caliber as ᴀssistance comes.

That large-format film type will combine with Ultra Panavision lens (which alters the aspect ratio) and Imax pH๏τography to create an immersive feel to the movie. That should all help bring the setting to life on film, making Sinners a truly unique cinematic experience, one that merits a theatrical viewing. Ryan Coogler’s filmography is loaded with critical and box office smash hits, and Sinners appears poised to be another major success.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter