This Wednesday, the Griot hosted a screening of the 2025 movie Sinners, followed by a group discussion led by Dr. Aisha Cort. The film is a Southern Gothic take on vampire horror starring Michael B. Jordan as a pair of twin brothers. The event was held just two days before Halloween, perfectly timed for audience appreciation of the grislier elements. Sinners is not only a vampire slasher. It also tactfully approaches themes of racial tensions in the depression era American South and the haunting legacy of slavery that impacts its characters. Music is a major theme as well, exploring how it connects us to the past, present, and future via a sequence of various historical dances belonging to many cultures.
After the credits rolled, the group discussion began, guided by a list of questions thoughtfully crafted by Dr. Cort. The group discussed themes of good/evil binaries, as well as religion and freedom. In the film, Sammy (“Preacher Boy”) must leave behind religion and his faithful family in order to control his own destiny through music. While Sammy’s father, a preacher, is portrayed as a restrictive and overbearing figure, religion is also used as a means of guidance and protection. Annie, the love interest of protagonist Smoke, is a conjure woman and healer who becomes a source of spiritual guidance while providing the rest of the characters their information about warding off the undead. Her mojo bag becomes a powerful amulet of protection against vampires.
At the same time, as Dr. Cort pointed out, one of the vampires recites the Lord’s Prayer during a fighting sequence, which challenges the viewer’s idea of what distinguishes good from evil. One student stated: “The movie does a good job of making you wonder how people’s identities interact with their circumstances to shape their actions”. Dr. Cymone Fourshey offered her thoughts: “Sinners might not even be the right name for this movie”, adding that the concept of sin in the film is complicated and there is no clear answer as to who the named sinners are.
The screening saw excellent attendance and the discussion following was also well attended. The group was engaged not only by the exciting and gory movie but also by the conversation that followed, during which they could share their observations and open up questions to peers. Sinners was undoubtedly the perfect choice for a pre-Halloween film group, and a welcome study break as finals inch closer.
-Lily Hebda