Vampires and Blues musicals, Sinners introduces a genre of its own, refusing to be boxed into just one category. Masterfully bringing together horror, thrills, social issues, and even elements of the culture of 1930s’ Mississippi, the film is phenomenal. It also made a major impact at the box office, earning $48 million domestically in its debut week.

The Creed director, Ryan Coogler, who is behind this ambitious project, has been widely praised for his vision and execution. While several aspects of the film deeply resonated with viewers, many wondered if there was any truth behind this story of vampires.

Audiences can rest assured that the vampires in the movie, Sinners, are not real, but the portrayal of 1930s Mississippi feels strikingly real and too hard to miss. In an interview with IndieWire, director Ryan Coogler shared that much of this inspiration for Sinners came from the stories he heard from his late uncle, James, who grew up in Mississippi. That was the first spark, and it only deepened after his uncle passed away. 

While living in Philadelphia, Coogler began to listen to his uncle’s favorite music, Blues, as he struggled to cope with the loss. It also became a major element of the movie. As per the popular lore, Clarksdale, Mississippi, is also rumored to be the birthplace of Blues music.

It is also where legendary bluesman Robert Johnson is rumored to have sold his soul to the devil in exchange for fame according to legend. This myth may have inspired the character of Sammie Moore, who draws clear parallels to Johnson. While the movie clearly draws inspiration from real people and historical moments, the story is likely fictional.

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Regardless, Sinners was able to connect with the viewers, growing far bigger than what Coogler had expected. 

Sinners made waves in the box office, grossing $48 million in its debut week. This made it the highest-grossing original film since the COVID-19 pandemic. Ryan Coogler himself admitted that he could not quite believe the massive success of the film.

 “It is bizarre, but when I think about it, when I take my feelings out of it, I’m not surprised,” he said as per Forbes.  

It continued the same success, making $45m in its second season. It went on to make $368 million worldwide. Along with commercial success, the movie was also appreciated by fans and critics alike. 

So, while Sinners starring Michael B. Jordan in dual roles may be fiction, its emotional pull comes from the real history of Mississippi, blues music, legendary people, Coogler’s personal experiences, and much more. By blending all these aspects, the movie feels understandably real. 

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What do you think about Ryan Coogler’s inspiration for Sinners? Let us know in the comments section below.