Ryan Coogler, the acclaimed director known for his Academy Award-nominated films such as Creed and Black Panther, is gearing up for the release of his latest project, a horror thriller titled Sinners. As the films premiere approaches, Coogler has been actively engaging with the media, sharing his creative vision and the myriad inspirations that have shaped this original film.

In an interview with SciFiNow in January, Coogler described Sinners as a genre-fluid film, highlighting its rich tapestry of influences. There are vampires in the film, okay, but its really about a lot more than just that. Its one of many elements, and I think were gonna surprise people with it, he stated, hinting at the film's complexity and depth.

Indeed, Coogler's inspiration for Sinners spans a wide range of cinematic and literary sources. He has mentioned classics such as From Dusk Till Dawn and The Faculty, alongside the extensive body of work from the Coen brothers. Perhaps the most surprising reference, however, is his connection to the lesser-known The Twilight Zone episode titled The Last Rites of Jeff Myrtlebank.

Coogler elaborated on his influences, declaring, Truthfully, the biggest influences are not in cinema. The novel Salems Lot is a massive influence on the film. Then theres a real deep-cut influence. My favorite thing ever made is The Twilight Zone, and my favorite episode is called The Last Rites of Jeff Myrtlebank probably Salems Lot and The Last Rites of Jeff Myrtlebank are probably the biggest influences.

The episode, which premiered during the third season of The Twilight Zone, tells the eerie tale of Jeff Myrtlebank, a young man who unexpectedly comes back to life during his own funeral. The townspeople, initially viewing this event as miraculous, soon begin to notice unsettling changes in Jeffs behavior. His mother expresses concern over his peculiar eating habits, and his father notes a shift in Jeff's demeanor that raises eyebrows among the townsfolk. The growing suspicion culminates in a dramatic confrontation where Jeff is accused of being a haint, a term for a ghostly presence that supposedly possesses the living for its own sinister purposes.

Throughout the episode, the question of Jeffs true nature remains ambiguously unresolved, making it a compelling narrative that lingers in the mind long after viewing. Coogler draws an intriguing parallel between this narrative and his own film, with the word haint making an appearance in Sinners as Annie, played by Wunmi Mosaku, discusses music's ability to bridge the gap between the living and the dead.

Even if one doesnt plan to watch Sinners, The Last Rites of Jeff Myrtlebank stands out as a notable episode within The Twilight Zone canon. It adeptly showcases how some of the most engaging questions in storytelling can reside in the unknown, leaving audiences pondering the implications long after the credits roll.