Sinners

Reviewing Oscar Nominated Films #6/50 Sinners Nominated for: *Best Picture Directing - Ryan Coogler Leading Actor - Micheal B. Jordan Supporting Actor - Delroy Lindo Supporting Actress - Wunmi Mosaku Writing (Original Screenplay) Casting Cinematography Original Score - Ludwig Goransson Original Song - "I Lied To You" Film Editing Production Design Costume Design Makeup and Hairstyling Sound Visual Effects* Sinners doesn’t feel like an “Oscar movie” in the usual stiff, overly polished way. It feels alive. Ryan Coogler directs it with a kind of controlled fire — the movie is intense, but it never loses focus. That Best Picture and Best Director nomination makes sense because this isn’t just well-made, it’s confident. Every choice feels deliberate, from the pacing to the way certain scenes are allowed to breathe longer than you expect. Michael B. Jordan absolutely carries the film and earns that Leading Actor nomination. He plays his role with this constant push and pull between strength and vulnerability, and you can see the cracks forming even when he’s trying to hold everything together. Delroy Lindo brings a quiet heaviness that lingers long after his scenes end, which makes his Supporting Actor nod feel deserved. And Wunmi Mosaku gives the film its emotional backbone — steady, grounded, and human. The casting nomination makes sense because there’s not a single weak link in the ensemble. For sure, Hailee Steinfield and Miles Caton got snubbed but their performances are absolutely amazing. The screenplay being nominated for Original Screenplay feels right because Sinners doesn’t spoon-feed you. It deals with guilt, identity, and generational weight without turning into a lecture. One of the most powerful moments is when Sammy performs the nominated song, “I Lied To You.” The scene starts intimate, almost fragile, and then it slowly expands. Different cultures and musical traditions blend into the performance — rhythms, harmonies, and visual influences overlapping in a way that feels organic instead of flashy. It’s not just a musical moment; it’s a statement about history and shared pain. That’s where the Original Song and Original Score nominations really hit. The music isn’t background — it’s storytelling. Technically, the film is stacked. The cinematography leans into shadows and texture, giving everything a slightly raw, lived-in look. Production design and costume design subtly reflect cultural identity without screaming for attention. Makeup and hairstyling add detail that makes the characters feel real, not styled. The editing keeps the tension tight but knows when to slow down, especially in emotional scenes. Sound design plays a huge role too — sometimes the quiet is louder than anything else. Even the visual effects are used carefully; they support the mood instead of overpowering it. Overall, Sinners feels complete. Four acting nominations, recognition in writing, music, crafts, and technical categories — it all adds up to something cohesive. It’s the kind of film where the performances hit you first, but the craft keeps revealing itself after you sit with it. Whether it wins big or not, it definitely earned its place in the Best Picture lineup. (After watching Sinners for the first time in July at home, I instantly knew I missed out on one of the best theater experiences ever. Luckily, Oscar Week is a thing. Fuck this review hurt my brain.)