Ryan Coogler on Twins, Terrors and the Making of 'Sinners'
Why did Ryan Coogler centre his acclaimed horror film 'Sinners' on twins? The director opens up about his creative choices, family ties, and the film’s remarkable awards run.
When Ryan Coogler set out to craft his latest horror outing, 'Sinners', he made a rather bold narrative choice: twins at the heart of the story. Not just any twins, either—Michael B. Jordan takes on the challenge of portraying both Smoke and Stack Moore, siblings who find themselves back in Clarksdale, only to be confronted by a bloodthirsty vampire menace. The decision to double up on protagonists wasn’t a mere gimmick. Coogler, speaking on 'Good Hang with Amy Poehler', revealed a personal connection to the idea.
He described the twins as a deliberate “hook”, inspired by his fondness for twins in his own family and, more intriguingly, a lingering unease about doppelgängers.
The notion of having a near-identical version of oneself lurking nearby, he admitted, has always unsettled him.
That psychological tension—of seeing your own face reflected back at you, but with a twist—runs through the film’s core. It’s a theme that’s resonated with audiences and critics alike, helping 'Sinners' carve out a place as one of the year’s most talked-about horror releases.
Critical Acclaim and Awards Season Buzz
'Sinners' didn’t just make waves with its premise. The film stormed through the 2025 awards circuit, racking up a hefty thirteen Critics Choice nominations and walking away with four wins. The Golden Globes followed suit, handing the film seven nods and two trophies: Cinematic and Box Office Achievement, plus Best Original Score. Some fans, it must be said, were left a touch disappointed by the categories in which the film triumphed, but the buzz around its Oscar prospects remains undimmed—especially for its music.
Competition, however, is anything but light. Paul Thomas Anderson’s 'One Battle After Another' and Timothée Chalamet’s turn in 'Marty Supreme' have been hoovering up attention in other major categories, setting the stage for a proper showdown come Oscar night.
Behind the Scenes: Music and Collaboration
One of the film’s standout elements is its score, the result of an early and fruitful partnership between Coogler and composer Ludwig Göransson. Their collaboration began well before cameras rolled, with Göransson’s compositions shaping the film’s mood from the outset. The music, much like the twin motif, weaves a sense of unease and duality throughout the narrative, amplifying the psychological undercurrents that Coogler was so keen to explore.
It’s this blend of personal inspiration, genre flair, and technical craft that’s propelled 'Sinners' into the spotlight. The film’s unique approach to horror—anchored by the uncanny presence of twins and a haunting score—has marked it out as a modern classic, with awards season recognition to match.