Director Ryan Coogler's latest film, "Sinners," transcends the typical vampire horror genre by immersing audiences in the vivid setting of 1930s Mississippi and using the blues—a genre once condemned as "the devil's music"—to delve deeply into the lives of its primarily African-American characters. Michael B. Jordan stars as the twin brothers, Smoke and Stack, who are central to the narrative.

Eric Goldman, in his enthusiastic review for IGN, praises the film's unique blend of horror and music: "In addition to the hemoglobin vampires crave, Sinners has music flowing through its veins, starting with the blues that Sammie [Miles Caton] and respected local musician Delta Slim (Delroy Lindo) are hired to perform at Smoke and Stack’s place." Goldman highlights how Coogler uses music as a lens to examine its profound impact on people across different generations, even when they are unaware of the cultural lineage at play. The film also features Jack O’Connell as Remmick, the charming and charismatic vampire leader whose backstory intertwines with Irish folk music, creating a rich tapestry of sound and story.

Coogler masterfully weaves African-American blues and Irish folk music into the narrative, using them to illuminate the shared painful histories of both the human and vampire characters. These musical elements culminate in standout set pieces that, as Goldman notes, make "Sinners 'musical adjacent'" and powerfully demonstrate how music transcends time and immortalizes its creators.

In a recent interview with IGN, Ryan Coogler discussed the significance of blues and Irish music in "Sinners," the film's memorable set pieces, and why the vampire villain, Remmick, was as personally meaningful to him to write as Killmonger was in "Black Panther." The interview has been edited for clarity.

Ryan Coogler: Blues music, for these characters, is an affirmation of their full humanity. It's closely tied to the church, yet it encompasses more than just the soul—it embraces the flesh, acknowledging the pain, sexual desire, and anger that come with life. It's a rebellion against the oppressive situations these people faced generationally, but it's also a celebration of their beauty and resilience. The blues provide a safe space in the juke joint where people can express their true selves without the constraints of societal judgment.

IGN: What’s your read on the vampire community? They bring all these people of different races and backgrounds together but now they’re a collective rather than individual. There’s probably a lot of ways people could interpret what that means.

Ryan Coogler: I wanted "Sinners" to resonate with audiences on a personal level. Once the film is released on April 18th, it becomes theirs to interpret. Writing Remmick, the vampire antagonist, was a deeply personal experience for me, much like Killmonger was in "Black Panther." I was excited to explore the concept of a master vampire who defies expectations, revealing a deeper connection with the people he chooses to be around, despite initial fears and misconceptions about his views on race.

25 Best Vampire Movies of All Time

26 ImagesIGN: My two favorite sequences in this movie are the two big showstopping musical set pieces. The juke joint one and then the vampires get theirs too.

Ryan Coogler: Those scenes are the heart of the movie, showcasing fellowship and love. They're essential to understanding the film's message about the resilience and rebellion of oppressed communities. The juke joint and Irish step dance sequences represent acts of defiance and cultural expression in the face of adversity. It was thrilling to explore these themes and create an immersive experience that echoes the wonder and excitement of cinema from less cynical times.

Sinners Gallery

12 ImagesIGN: The juke joint sequence is particularly amazing because it's staged as a one-er. You're playing with time, and you're showing the cultural crossovers too. Visually, you're showing us how music is timeless, or at least what it brings out in people is timeless. At what point did you realize you wanted to play with time in that scene?

Ryan Coogler: The idea to play with time came during the writing process. I wanted to capture the transcendent feeling of witnessing a virtuoso performance, which is a universal human experience. Using cinematic techniques, I aimed to convey this feeling in a way only film can, highlighting why juke joint culture developed as a form of expression for those denied freedom and joy.

IGN: There’s that second tour de force musical set-piece later, and it's from the vampires’ perspective using traditional Irish folk music.

Ryan Coogler: Irish folk music, like the blues, embodies a mastery of contrast. It tells heartbreaking stories with vigor and hidden meanings, much like the resilience shown in both African and Irish cultures. In "Sinners," this music reflects the shared experiences of the vampire and human characters, emphasizing their connection despite outward differences. It's about celebrating life even in the face of adversity, a theme that resonates deeply with the film's narrative.