If there’s one cinematic monster that just won’t die—both figuratively and literally—it’s vampires. While other creatures like the Gillman and the Wolf Man seem to be stuck in pop culture purgatory, vampires have continued to stalk our screens in various forms, from glittering teens to feral bloodsuckers. The latest filmmaker to take a bite out of the genre is Ryan Coogler, whose new film, Sinners, just dropped its first full-length trailer. The film stars Michael B. Jordan in a dual role as twins trying to survive an undead onslaught in the Deep South.
The trailer serves up plenty of atmosphere and tension but also seems to reveal a bit too much, teasing not one but two significant plot points. At its core, the story centers on a community under siege by vampires, featuring a strong ensemble cast that includes Wunmi Mosaku, Delroy Lindo, Miles Caton, and Li Jun Li. Coogler’s vision goes beyond the typical vampire narrative, framing the film as a supernatural story with vampires being just one of its many layers.
“It’s genre fluid,” Coogler shared during a trailer launch press conference, citing influences as diverse as The Faculty and the Twilight Zone episode “The Last Rites of Jeff Myrtlebank,” alongside vampire classics like Salem’s Lot. “There are vampires in the film, but it’s really about a lot more than just that. It’s one of many elements. And I… I think we’re going to surprise people with it.”
Coogler’s Vampires Stick to Tradition
During the press event, a sneak peek from the film highlighted that Coogler’s vampires adhere to traditional lore, steeped in the myths and beliefs passed down through the film’s community. To ensure authenticity, Coogler and his team dived deep into hoodoo culture, crafting a narrative that respects its historical roots rather than using it as mere window dressing. “The consultants list on this… it was a mile long,” Coogler joked, emphasizing the depth of research that went into the film’s supernatural elements.
While the story explores the mystical, its setting in the Deep South feels as grounded as possible. Coogler credited his production team, including designer Hannah Beachler and Oscar-winning costume designer Ruth Carter, for creating a world that feels tangible and lived-in. The film’s authenticity is further enhanced by Coogler’s decision to shoot on celluloid film, his first time doing so since Fruitvale Station.
“We wanted the world to be extremely tactile,” Coogler explained. “It made a lot of sense for the time period, you know, to bring it back to that kind of analog capture. Working with Warner Brothers, they allowed us to shoot the film on large format. So it’s the first film ever done like this, but, you know, it alternates between Super Panavision, which is a 2.76:1 aspect ratio, and 1.43:1 IMAX film. It feels old and fresh at the same time. And like I said, man, this format is capturing some of our finest craftspeople in [cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw], in Hannah, and in Ruth. It’s been phenomenal to see their work shine.”
A Personal Journey for Coogler
Sinners is also an incredibly personal project for Coogler, who set the film in Mississippi, a place that holds deep familial significance for him. “Each time I make something, it’s been the most personal thing that I made up to date. And this one’s no different,” he said. Coogler shared that his maternal grandfather, who passed away before he was born, hailed from Mississippi, and the family home he grew up in was built by his grandfather after relocating to California. Another influential figure was his uncle James, who introduced him to Mississippi’s culture through blues music.
“He had a profound effect on my life. He would only talk about Mississippi when he was listening to blues music,” Coogler reminisced. “I got a chance to kind of dig into my own ancestral history with this film. And it’s been extremely rewarding.”
With its mix of traditional vampire lore, supernatural elements, and a deeply personal connection to its setting, Sinners looks poised to bring something fresh yet grounded to the genre. The film, showcasing Coogler’s signature attention to detail and storytelling prowess, is set to hit theaters on April 18.
Sinners promises to be a gripping exploration of the supernatural, deeply rooted in cultural authenticity and personal history. Horror fans, mark your calendars—this is one you won’t want to miss.
