The Rewatchables ‘Sinners’ With Bill Simmons, Van Lathan, and Wesley Morris
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Aug 18, 2025 
Wesley Morris, a film critic for The New York Times, joins Bill Simmons and Van Lathan to dissect Ryan Coogler's gripping film, 'Sinners.' They explore the profound cultural implications of Black narratives and the psychological toll of fame on celebrities. The trio examines the synergy between music and race, revealing its historical depth, while unpacking themes of identity and artistic expression. They dive into the emotional journeys of characters, underscore the significance of Southern settings, and share humorous insights on Hollywood dynamics.
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First Hour As A Complete Meal
- Sinners is unusually rewatchable because its first hour forms a full, resonant meal before the supernatural arrives.
- The film works both as a character-driven period drama and as a genre spectacle when the vampires enter.
Authentic Jim Crow Atmosphere
- Ryan Coogler recreated the Jim Crow South with deep intellectual labor to make everyday Black life feel authentic and lived-in.
- That authenticity lets the film render joy, ritual, and Saturday-night escape as central elements of Black southern life.
Vampires As Cultural Metaphor
- Coogler uses vampirism as a layered metaphor: literal monsters who also stand for cultural appropriation and extractive white business.
- The vampires covet Black music and artists, embodying how culture is taken and repackaged.