Critics at Large | The New Yorker How “Sinners” Revives the Vampire
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May 1, 2025 The podcast dives into how Ryan Coogler's film "Sinners" uses vampires to explore deep societal issues like race and identity. The discussion traces vampire lore from classic texts to modern portrayals, including how figures like Edward Cullen reshaped these monsters into relatable characters. Cultural themes like oppression and resistance are woven through the narrative, showcasing the rich tapestry of music and community. Finally, it examines the existential questions about youth and mortality that resonate within contemporary vampire narratives.
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Plot Setup of "Sinners"
- "Sinners" centers on twin brothers returning to 1932 Mississippi to open a juke joint amid racial segregation.
- The film mixes historical realism with supernatural elements, notably vampires disrupting this world.
Vampires as Cultural Symbols
- Vampires in "Sinners" symbolize white cultural appropriation and colonial power dynamics.
- They try to integrate by co-opting black culture but also represent hidden societal evils like the Klan.
Role Reversal in Vampire Tropes
- "Sinners" reverses the typical vampire trope by making whiteness the invasive threat.
- The film portrays black communal spaces as powerful yet vulnerable to white cultural invasion.
