Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
Ryan Coogler’s astounding vampire film, Sinners, contains many elements worth praising. A knockout cast. Breathtaking cinematography. One of the best damn scores of this decade (I said it). Because there’s so much to love, some bits are bound to get left out of the conversation. As a gorehound myself, one aspect of Sinners that I adore is just how deliciously bloody it is. Coogler always intended to make sure his bloodsucker film delivered on the red.
While appearing on EW’s The Awardist podcast, Coogler discussed the bloody chaos of Sinners and a specific inspiration for it. “Green Room had some really graphic, stomach-turning special effects makeup work, so I wanted the movie to have all the old-school practical blood and makeup,” said Coogler. “A big influence for the movie is The Thing and all the practical effects with that, and Robert Rodriguez’s work, and Quentin [Tarantino]. You just know when that blood is really pumping.”
You can say that again, Ryan. Sinners puts a stake right through the heart of Coogler’s bloody goal. As he mentions in reference to the works of Rodriguez and Tarantino, you sure do know when the blood is pumping. Hell, you’d still sense it even if you closed your eyes.
Of course, none of this should come as a surprise when you consider that Coogler hired special effects designer Michael Fontaine for Sinners based on his work in Green Room. If you’ve seen Green Room, you know just how shockingly gory that film can get. And if you haven’t seen it, what are you waiting for? It’s punks taking on Nazis in a bloody-as-hell battle to the death. Well worth your time.
During the interview, Coogler also revealed that the film has a high-profile fan in Tom Cruise. Shortly after Sinners released, Cruise congratulated Coogler on IG. “Must see in a cinema and stay through the end credits!” said the actor.
“I couldn’t believe it,” Coogler told EW.
Courtesy of Paramount Pictures
Michael B. Jordan, who was with Coogler on the podcast, added, “That was great. I love that man. He loves movies so much. I challenge myself to find somebody who has that passion. He’s incredible, so when you get somebody like him that’s really supporting the movie and loves the film…”
We’re all allowed to think whatever we want about Cruise, but there’s no denying his passion for the industry, nor the impact of his praise for any given film.
Perhaps someday, we’ll see Cruise appear in a Ryan Coogler feature. Until then, you can stream Sinners on HBO Max and soak in a whole lot of cheer-worthy gore.
Categorized: News
