What Is “Sinners” About? Ryan Coogler’s Film Receives 16 Oscar Nominations

Regardless of whether Sinners takes home any Academy Awards this year, it is poised to make history.

Under the direction of Ryan Coogler, this horror film has accumulated an impressive 16 Oscar nominations, securing its place as both the most-nominated film of the year and the most-nominated film in history.

“I hold deep respect for the Academy — and I have immense admiration for many involved — but my real award is being able to do this job: to write, assemble a crew, create union positions, contribute to healthcare and support families,” Coogler shared with Variety in February. “Having this job and the opportunity to keep it is the most significant gift.”

Even prior to the start of awards season, Sinners was generating buzz as a unique original film — not a sequel or derived from preexisting intellectual property — achieving over $369 million in worldwide box office revenue.

As the Academy Awards are set to air on Sunday, March 15, the film has the potential to become the most awarded film in Oscars history. Keep reading to find out more about Sinners:

What Is ‘Sinners’ About?

Set in Mississippi during the 1930s, Sinners tells the story of twin brothers Elijah “Smoke” and Elias “Stack” Moore (both portrayed by Michael B. Jordan) as they return home after several years in Chicago. They attempt to open a juke joint with assistance from the community, including Smoke’s wife, Annie (Wunmi Mosaku), their cousin Sammie (Miles Caton), and blues musician Delta Slim (Delroy Lindo).

On opening night, the musicians’ performance draws a crowd of white spectators led by an Irish man named Remmick (Jack O’Connell). Smoke and Stack soon discover that Remmick and his cohorts are actually vampires affiliated with the Ku Klux Klan. The twins must fend off both the undead and the KKK, who are planning an attack on the juke joint at dawn.

While Sinners is a horror film, it also delves into the history of blues music and the struggles faced by Black Americans in the Jim Crow South.

“Frequently, and quite understandably, that era and location in the United States evoke much pain, shame, and discomfort, but ignoring it entirely means overlooking what else existed there,” Coogler explained to IndieWire in April 2025. “The resilience, brilliance, fortitude, and the artistic and cultural wonders cannot be disregarded.”

Who Stars in ‘Sinners’?

In Sinners, Michael B. Jordan portrays twin brothers Smoke and Stack, while Miles Caton makes his film debut as their younger cousin Sammie. Wunmi Mosaku plays Smoke’s estranged wife, Annie, and Hailee Steinfeld stars as Stack’s former girlfriend, Mary. Veteran actor Delroy Lindo features as the harmonica player Delta Slim, while Jayme Lawson plays singer Pearline.

The brothers also collaborate with shopkeepers Grace and Bo (Li Jun Li and Yao, respectively) and bouncer Cornbread (Omar Benson Miller). Poet and musician Saul Williams plays Sammie’s father, pastor Jedidiah Moore, while Nathaniel Arcand takes on the role of Chayton, a Choctaw vampire hunter.

Jack O’Connell plays Remmick, an Irish immigrant and vampire who transforms local couple — KKK members Bert (Peter Dreimanis) and Joan (Lola Kirke) — into vampires as well.

Real-life blues legend Buddy Guy makes a cameo as an older version of Sammie, appearing in 1992.

What Are Critics Saying About ‘Sinners’?

Sinners boasts a 97 percent critical rating on Rotten Tomatoes, along with a 96 percent audience score. The film has also been recognized as one of the best of 2025 by several critics, including The New York Times’ Manohla Dargis and The New Yorker’s Richard Brody, both of whom ranked it No. 1.

“Ryan Coogler’s Sinners is a cinematic triumph — a heartfelt and exuberant celebration of life and love, including a love for cinema,” Dargis noted. “Set against the backdrop of Jim Crow Mississippi, it defies genre conventions, presenting a mind-bending spectacle infused with stellar performances, dancing vampires, and profound themes of love and history.”

Brody praised the performances of Michael B. Jordan and Miles Caton, noting, “Jordan brings [Smoke and Stack] to vivid life with a commanding presence and a skillfulness that seems effortless. The ensemble delivers dynamic performances, making the characters’ lofty musings and sharp dialogue resonate authentically; their portrayals feel conjured, rather than performed. Caton, an ingeniously voiced singer with no prior screen experience, imbues Sammie with an extraordinary sense of direction and composure — a remarkable debut.”

How Many Oscar Nominations Did ‘Sinners’ Receive?

Achieving 16 nominations, Sinners broke the record for the most nominations any film has ever received at the 2026 Academy Awards. The previous record of 14 nominations was held by Titanic (1997) and All About Eve (1950).

In addition to Best Picture and Best Director for Ryan Coogler, Sinners garnered acting nominations for Michael B. Jordan (lead actor), Delroy Lindo (supporting actor), and Wunmi Mosaku (supporting actress). Coogler also received a nomination for Best Writing (Original Screenplay).

The film is also competing for Best Music (Score) for Ludwig Göransson; Best Music (Original Song) for Göransson and Raphael Saadiq; Best Casting for Francine Maisler; Best Sound for Chris Welcker, Benjamin A. Burtt, Felipe Pacheco, Brandon Proctor, and Steve Boeddeker; Best Costume Design for Ruth E. Carter; Best Production Design for Hannah Beachler and Monique Champagne; Best Cinematography for Autumn Durald Arkapaw; Best Makeup and Hairstyling for Ken Diaz, Mike Fontaine, and Shunika Terry; Best Film Editing for Michael P. Shawver; and Best Visual Effects for Michael Ralla, Espen Nordahl, Guido Wolter, and Donnie Dean.

How to Watch ‘Sinners’

Sinners can be streamed on HBO Max.