The film 'Sinners' has been primarily marketed with the intriguing premise of Michael B. Jordan portraying twins who confront a group of vampires. While both of these elements are indeed present in the movie, the true heart and soul of the narrative revolves around Sammie, played by Miles Caton, who is the young cousin of the SmokeStack twins. The storyline unfolds against the vibrant backdrop of 1930s Clarksdale, Mississippi, where Sammie's musical talent becomes a magnet, drawing the local community into the twins lively juke joint, which also attracts the interest of vampires eager to join the festivities.

Initially, the vampires request to enter the juke joint appears to be harmless, but it swiftly escalates into a hostile takeover, which sets the stage for the film's intense and gripping events. Ultimately, Sammie emerges as the sole human survivor of that fateful night at the juke joint. Instead of returning to his family and abandoning music, he makes the bold decision to leave Clarksdale and pursue a career as a renowned blues musician.

The narrative jumps forward to the year 1992, where we find an older version of Sammie, portrayed by the legendary Chicago guitarist Buddy Guy, just after a performance. At this moment, two familiar figures from the past make an appearance: Stack and his girlfriend Mary, played by Hailee Steinfeld. These characters, who were transformed into vampires in 1932, had left Clarksdale when the other vampires were consumed by the sun's rays. Smoke, the twins' patriarch, had spared Stack's life on the condition that he would not interfere with Sammie's journey. However, the ageless couple feels compelled to check in on Sammie's life and offer him the chance to become immortal, allowing him to continue his musical legacy.

In a poignant moment, Sammie declines their offer, choosing instead to embrace his mortality and bids them farewell with a heartfelt performance of traditional blues, reminiscent of his former days. This scene is particularly significant, as director and writer Ryan Coogler shared with Entertainment Weekly about the challenges he faced while filming it. When he consulted Michael B. Jordan on how Stack would react in that situation, Jordan decided to put on his fake fangs and lean in close to Buddy Guy's neck, already dressed in his 90s attire complete with glowing contact lenses. Coogler, taken aback by the scene, initially panicked, fearing for the safety of the venerable 88-year-old musician, only to realize that it was merely a dramatic embrace. This moment became profoundly moving for Coogler.

I broke down in tears because I realized that this whole movie encapsulated that sentiment, Coogler reflected. In many ways, it was a cathartic expression of my own experiences with loss. It was about not saying goodbye to my uncle. He previously articulated that 'Sinners' serves as a love letter to his family heritage, particularly acknowledging his late uncle James, who passed away in 2015 during the post-production phase of the first 'Creed' film. The sudden loss left Coogler with a deep sense of grief, which he felt compelled to confront through his art.

Loss serves as a central theme for various characters in 'Sinners,' many of whom either grapple with recent bereavements or reminisce about loved ones who have long since departed. For instance, Smoke dies while reflecting on his estranged wife Annie, who tragically lost her life during the vampire attack, and their infant daughter who had died prior to the film's events. Cooglers own experiences with loss guided him back to the blues music that his uncle cherished, including the works of Buddy Guy. His uncle had a fondness for listening to blues records on vinyl while watching the San Francisco Giants play baseball, often sharing tales when the atmosphere was just right. As Coogler explained, reconnecting with blues music years later felt like summoning [James] spirit, which informed the narrative arc of Sammie's music as a means of invoking the spirits of both the past and the future, a concept that is beautifully illustrated in earlier scenes of the film.

For Sammie, that unforgettable night at the juke joint was the pinnacle of his existence, where he experienced a profound connection with the audience through his music. This sentiment resonates deeply with Stack as well, as it marked the last time he shared a moment with Smoke, felt the warmth of the sun, and experienced a sense of freedom. Despite the tragic events spurred by music, it remains the enduring force that connects the characters across generations, underscoring the notion that music can keep the memory of loved ones alive long after they are gone.