Three months after its theatrical debut, Ryan Coogler‘s period vampire film, Sinners, starring Michael B. Jordan, continues to receive critical acclaim and is gaining momentum as a significant contender for this year’s Academy Awards. Now available for streaming on HBO Max, the film is expanding its audience and is increasingly seen as a serious candidate for multiple Oscar nominations, including one for Best Picture, amidst a competitive but not overwhelming field of releases so far this year.
A Long-Awaited Directing Nomination for Ryan Coogler?
Ryan Coogler’s career has long been marked by groundbreaking work, particularly with Black Panther, which made history in 2018 as the first superhero film with an almost all-Black cast and earned a Best Picture nomination. Despite the film’s success and three Oscar wins, Coogler was not nominated for Best Director—a notable omission. Since then, he received two Oscar nods, one for producing Judas and the Black Messiah and another for his creative input on an original song in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Sinners now appears to be an ideal opportunity for Coogler to earn recognition for his directing, showcasing his originality and commercial appeal. Although the Best Director category typically condenses the ten Best Picture nominees into five, Coogler’s unique screenplay could also secure a nomination for Original Screenplay, emphasizing the film’s creative achievement.
Recognition Likely for Michael B. Jordan, Delroy Lindo, and Miles Caton
Coogler’s cast is poised for strong awards consideration, with the Screen Actors Guild likely nominating the ensemble for Outstanding Cast, echoing Black Panther’s 2018 win in this category. Michael B. Jordan is expected to be a frontrunner for his dual roles as Smoke and Stack, two brothers trying to open a juke joint amid a vampire incursion. Despite Jordan’s acclaimed performance in Creed (2015), he has not yet secured an Oscar nomination. His near miss then came when Sylvester Stallone, Jordan’s scene partner, received a Best Supporting Actor nod instead, fueling controversy over the lack of diversity in nominations that year.
Delroy Lindo, a veteran actor widely respected but never nominated for an Oscar, may finally receive overdue recognition for his role in Sinners. Many also believe his performance in Spike Lee’s Da 5 Bloods (2020) deserved attention, but the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the film’s Netflix release may have limited its awards traction. Miles Caton, a newcomer delivering a compelling performance in his first role, might be considered in a supporting category, though his character arguably carries the story’s emotional weight. The Academy has a history of honoring young talent, as demonstrated by Hailee Steinfeld’s early nomination for True Grit, increasing hopes for Caton’s recognition.
Behind-the-Scenes Contributions Could Garner Significant Awards
The technical and creative teams behind Sinners also stand a strong chance of receiving multiple Oscar nominations. Ludwig Göransson, who won an Oscar for his score on Black Panther, is a likely contender again given the vital role music plays in Sinners. Ruth E. Carter, the costume designer whose work on both Black Panther films earned Oscars, brought a unique flair to the period-specific costumes in Sinners, which capture the era’s style distinctively. This would mark her fifth Oscar nomination.
Production designer Hannah Beachler, though delivering an impressive recreation of 1930s Mississippi, may face tougher competition compared to her elaborate Wakanda designs. Meanwhile, cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw, collaborating with Coogler again after Wakanda Forever, has drawn praise for her use of IMAX cameras and extended tracking shots known as oners, which are expected to impress the cinematographers branch of the Academy.
Editor Michael Shawver, who was previously overlooked for Black Panther, could receive a nomination for his work on Sinners, reflecting the film editing branch’s chance to recognize his contribution. Additionally, the Oscars will present a casting award for the first time this year, and with the film’s ensemble likely to be nominated by SAG, casting director Francine Maisler could become one of the inaugural nominees in this category.
The Film’s Momentum and Challenges Ahead in the Awards Season
Sinners benefits from increasing acceptance of genre films by the Academy, following the successes of horror and thriller movies like Jordan Peele’s Get Out and Coralie Fargeat’s The Substance, both of which won Oscars after recent nominations. Industry heavyweights such as Tom Cruise and Kevin Bacon, who are members of the Academy, have publicly praised the film, underscoring its growing support.
However, the film’s early-year release poses a potential challenge since Academy voters may struggle to recall it fully when casting their ballots months later—a problem seen last year with the late nominations snubs for Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part 2. Still, Sinners has amassed significant critical and industry attention. If it continues to maintain visibility through streaming, it could reap numerous nominations across acting, directing, writing, and technical categories, finally granting Coogler the Oscar recognition many believe he truly deserves for his visionary filmmaking.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What is Ryan Coogler’s religion?
A. Religion is a fresh subject in Coogler’s movies, even though he finds its presence in each one. While he was brought up Baptist, he studied at Catholic schools. Before he was born, three of his grandparents passed away, and he was intrigued by how his parents spoke of staying connected with them.
