Ryan Coogler has finally peeled back the curtain on Sinners, his long-rumored supernatural horror film, and the new trailer has only heightened the intrigue. Known for his genre-defining work on Black Panther and Creed, Coogler is making his first foray into horror with a Jim Crow-era story that blends historical drama, supernatural folklore, and the haunting rhythms of blues music. Originally scheduled for a March 7 release, the film will now hit theaters on April 18, 2025, landing in the coveted Easter weekend slot.
At a virtual press conference for the trailer launch, Coogler described Sinners as his most personal project to date. “The film is very genre-fluid,” Coogler shared. “Yes, vampires are an element, but it’s not the only supernatural element in the movie. The film is about much more than that.”
Starring frequent Coogler collaborator Michael B. Jordan in dual roles as twin brothers Smoke and Stack, the film follows the siblings as they return to their Southern hometown to escape a troubled past, only to face an even darker, more sinister evil. The narrative also explores themes of redemption, ancestral legacy, and the transformative power of music. Jordan’s portrayal of twins is expected to be a career milestone, adding emotional depth to an already rich story.
The newly released trailer offers a chilling look into the film’s world, set in a rural Jim Crow-era Mississippi. It showcases moments of joy—Black people celebrating life through music and dance—juxtaposed with ominous scenes of bloodshed, bullets, and supernatural terror. The haunting voiceover from Wunmi Mosaku’s character, Miss Annie, warns of a musician’s magical gift that blurs the line between life and death, setting the stage for a tense, blood-soaked confrontation.
“It’s a world my grandparents were a part of,” Coogler said, referencing his family’s roots in Mississippi. The director shared how the film allowed him to explore his own ancestral history and pay tribute to his late uncle, a blues lover who inspired much of the film’s musical themes. Composer Ludwig Göransson, a longtime Coogler collaborator, not only scored the movie but also served as an executive producer. He even joined Coogler on a scouting trip through Mississippi’s blues trail, underscoring the film’s deep connection to music.
The film’s authenticity was further enhanced by twin consultants Logan and Noah Miller, who advised on both the script and Jordan’s dual performances. Coogler also leaned into technical craftsmanship, shooting on 65mm film and utilizing IMAX photography to create a visually immersive experience. He even sought advice from Christopher Nolan, a master of large-format filmmaking, to ensure the film’s technical ambitions matched its storytelling.
Coogler described Sinners as a love letter to the communal moviegoing experience, saying, “It’s about watching an exhilarating film in a packed house, not knowing what’s going to happen next. I wanted to give that feeling back to audiences.”
The cast of Sinners is as impressive as its premise, featuring Delroy Lindo (Da 5 Bloods), Jayme Lawson (The Woman King), Wunmi Mosaku (Loki), Jack O’Connell (Ferrari), Hailee Steinfeld (True Grit), Omar Benson Miller (True Lies), Li Jun Li, Lola Kirke, Emonie Ellison, Ja’Quan Monroe-Henderson, Yao, Miles Caton, Peter Dreimanis, and Christian Robinson. Production is being handled by Coogler’s Proximity Media, with Zinzi Coogler and Sev Ohanian also producing.
The trailer teases a film that is equal parts thrilling, terrifying, and thought-provoking, promising a standout addition to the horror genre. With its unique premise, stellar cast, and Coogler’s visionary direction, Sinners is poised to captivate audiences when it premieres in April.
Warner Bros. has also reshuffled its 2025 release calendar, with Bong Joon-ho’s sci-fi thriller Mickey 17 now taking over the March 7 slot and The Batman Part II pushed back to October 2027. But with Sinners leading the studio’s Easter lineup, Warner Bros. is setting the stage for another strong year at the box office.