Sinners is a hit, despite how some outlets and studio executives want to frame it. After landing at number one at the box office last weekend, earning $48 million off an original idea, director Ryan Coogler wants to thank all the blood-sucking sinners who opted to spend Easter weekend with his musical vampire epic. Posted on his X, the everything app, account, Coogler shared a typed letter to fans who took a break from mass and egg rolls to check out his southern-fried horror movie.
“Eternal Gratitude. My heart is bursting with it,” Coogler wrote. “I want to thank each and every one of you who bought a ticket to see SINNERS. Who decided to drive to see the film in different formats. Who bought popcorn and a drink, booked a sitter and carpooled, and stood in the lobby afterwards and talked and made a friend. Who changed their work scheduled. Who saw the film in groups.”
“I want to thank you all who watched more than once, who recommended the film to others, both in person and on social media or on your text message chains,” he continued. “I had the gift of the opportunity of making a film inspired by my family and my ancestry but it was always a film that we wanted to make for audiences, in theaters.”
In the letter, Coogler called cinema a “necessary pillar of society.” However, Coogler writes, “We don’t get to do what we do if you don’t show up[…]The only way I know how to thank you for that, is by continuing to mine my personal human experience and my relationships for more stories to bring to you in cinematic language.” The director also notes the artists that inspired him, including Spike Lee, Oscar Micheaux, Bill Gunn, Jordan Peele, Christopher Nolan, Emma Thomas, David Lynch, George Lucas, Wes Craven, and loads more. Finally, he thanks longtime collaborators, star Michael B. Jordan, composer Ludwig Göransson, his wife and producer Zinzi Coogler, and editor Michael Shawver.
In addition to thanking people, Coogler is also teaching people. About two weeks ago, he released a video for Kodak explaining the different aspect ratios and formats for Sinners‘ theatrical release. Give yourself a pat on the back and watch it below. You’ve earned it, you old Sinner you.
