Movie Review | Sinners Named “Film of the Month” on the UK Film Club Podcast

Episode 27 of the UK Film Club Podcast saw a fantastic array of movies being reviewed, including the latest Mission: Impossible film – The Final Reckoning, starring the staple of cinema, Tom Cruise, in his final outing (supposedly) as Ethan Hunt. We also reviewed The Amateur, a spy-thriller starring Rami Malek, which impressed critic Brian Penn a lot. But it was the new Ryan Coogler movie, Sinners, that impressed him the most from the cinematic releases in May 2025. So much so that Brian crowned Sinners his “Film of the Month” a much-coveted award.

For those of you who haven’t heard, Ryan Coogler’s latest film, Sinners, is a supernatural horror set in the Jim Crow-era Mississippi Delta of 1932. The film stars Michael B. Jordan in a dual role as twin brothers, Elijah “Smoke” and Elias “Stack” Moore, who return to their hometown of Clarksdale after years working for the Chicago Outfit. With money stolen from gangsters, they aim to establish a juke joint in an old sawmill, creating a haven for the local Black community.

As they recruit local talent and navigate the racial tensions of the era, including threats from the Ku Klux Klan, a sinister force emerges. An ancient, music-loving vampire named Remmick, on the run from Choctaw vampire hunters, sets his sights on the juke joint and particularly on Sammie, Smoke and Stack’s cousin and an aspiring musician whose transcendent music possesses an otherworldly power. What begins as a hopeful fresh start for the brothers quickly spirals into a terrifying fight for survival against a growing vampire horde, forcing them and the community to confront both supernatural evil and the deeply rooted dangers of their segregated world. The film blends period drama, blues music, and intense horror, exploring themes of art, freedom, and the enduring struggle against oppression.

Ryan Coogler stands as a prominent voice in contemporary cinema, known for his emotionally resonant storytelling and unflinching exploration of identity, community, and systemic issues. His films often delve into the complexities of personal struggle within broader societal contexts.

He first garnered significant attention with his acclaimed debut feature, Fruitvale Station, a powerful dramatisation of a real-life tragedy that earned him critical recognition. Coogler then transitioned seamlessly into revitalising beloved franchises, directing Creed, which reinvigorated the “Rocky” universe with fresh emotional depth, and subsequently helming Marvel’s Black Panther. The latter became a cultural phenomenon, celebrated for its impactful representation and innovative narrative, further cementing his status as a visionary filmmaker.

A frequent collaborator with actor Michael B. Jordan, Coogler has crafted a distinctive filmography that blends personal narratives with compelling spectacle. Beyond directing, he also co-founded Proximity Media, a production company dedicated to creating diverse and impactful stories across various platforms, including films, documentaries, and podcasts. His recent work on Sinners showcases his continued ambition to push boundaries and explore new genres with his signature blend of grit and heart, even negotiating rare deals to retain significant creative control and ownership of his projects.

Other Films We Reviewed on the Podcast

As well as the cinematic releases aforementioned, we also reviewed the following indie films on Episode 27 of the UK Film Club Podcast:

Ambrogio: The First Vampire

Set in the modern United States, indie horror romance Ambrogio: The First Vampire gives a fresh take on the classic story. The film is directed by filmmaker Alex Javo, who co-writes with Taz Lake and Johnny Ray Jr, and co-stars with Angelina Buzzelli and Zane Pappas.

Javo plays the titular Ambrogio, a centuries-old vampire who we first see violently “acquiring” a new home in a nameless town in the U.S by giving a love bite to its current owner. We are then privy to his origins in ancient Greece and how he became immortal and a bit of a biter. One of Ambrogio’s problems is having to resettle every so often for fear of pitchforks and violent mobs, but he has a few more problems on the horizon in the form of some other famous baddies. He also becomes romantically involved with local historian Sarah (Buzzelli), and his future becomes increasingly uncertain.

Shaken & Stirred: The Story of Flair Bartending

The feature-length film delves into the history of flair bartending and how it emerged from established bars in the US to become a worldwide phenomenon where competitors meet to try and outdo each other with ever-more outlandish tricks with bottles, shakers and more. The different forms of the art are discussed, as well as organisational splits that mean different styles have emerged demanding different skillsets. The film covers one of these organisations and the competitors looking to become the best, showing their personal stories and the meaning they found behind the bar.

Always Smile comes from prolific indie filmmaking production company Hypatude Productions, and is directed by Hypatude’s founder Jason Park. Park’s passion for film, and for filmmaking, is obvious and present in ‘Always Smile’, yet sadly that never translates to any genuine quality.

The film follows two brothers, Alex (played by Jason Park) and Johnny (played by Min Keon Kim) who, following the tragic deaths of their parents, have fallen into homelessness. The two brothers live out of a van, with Alex working a dead-end job and Johnny attending community college. That life of daily struggle is shaken up one day when they witness a woman’s kidnapping.

Mike Markoff plays Kent Collins, an ex-Navy SEAL whose peaceful retirement is disturbed when his partner, Sandy (Chelsea Gilson) commits suicide after a terminal diagnosis. When offered the exciting opportunity of testing a sophisticated AI software developed by his old friend Winston (Garon Grigsby), this could be just the operation to pull our protagonist from the depths of his grief. However, the military implications of Winston’s AI, known as WP, make it a hot property with plenty of baddies lining up to take control of it.

And our “Nostalgia Pick” for the month was the classic Arnie action movie, Commando. Listen now on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Play” below, or search for UK Film Club on any good podcast platform.