Two-time Oscar winner Sam Rockwell isn’t just impressed by big box office returns; he’s captivated by filmmakers like Ryan Coogler and Patty Jenkins who are bold enough to take risks and emerge victorious. In a recent interview with Variety, Rockwell made headlines for his praise of Coogler’s work in the recent 1930s-based horror movie, Sinners.
Rockwell likened the success of Sinners to that of Wonder Woman, helmed by Patty Jenkins. His comment comes as an encouraging pat on the back- an acknowledgement of Coogler’s writing and directorial prowess in delivering an R-rated, genre-bending movie full of sensuality and gritty themes. Rockwell’s enthusiasm in praising the film underscores his feeling that such movies are an emerging beacon of hope for Hollywood.
Sam Rockwell is in awe of Ryan Coogler’s Sinners
When Sam Rockwell praised Sinners, he wasn’t simply admiring a well-delivered movie- he was pointing to a huge shift in Hollywood filmmaking. Ryan Coogler’s horror hit is doing amazing at the box office and has even become an early contender for the Oscars (via Variety).
The film mixes genres of pulp horror, blaxploitation, Southern noir, and classic Americana. Echoing the themes and energy of acclaimed projects like Devil in a Blue Dress and From Dusk Till Dawn, Sinners has left Rockwell thoroughly impressed with its gritty themes and unfiltered s*xuality, especially in Hailee Steinfeld and Michael B. Jordan’s intimate scenes.
In his interview with Variety, when asked if he’s seen the film, Rockwell enthusiastically replied:
Yes, I did. I really dug it.
When the conversation shifted to the state of films in Hollywood, Rockwell spoke about Sinners, saying:
I can’t help but think about ‘Sinners’. It was encouraging because it was rated R, you know? The sexuality felt palpable. And the fact that it made a bunch of money while mixing all these genres — ‘From Dusk Till Dawn,’ ‘Sounder,’ ‘Devil in a Blue Dress’ — I thought that was encouraging. It’s a big swing. And it made a lot of money, just like ‘Wonder Woman.’ That was a big swing, too. Made by a woman. Did very well.
He compared the movie’s success to that of Patty Jenkins’ Wonder Woman, which broke barriers being a female-led and directed blockbuster hit. In doing so, Rockwell highlighted how Coogler did exactly what Jenkins did in 2017 (took bold risks with daring tones), but with much dirtier themes in tow.
Why Rockwell’s acknowledgement of Coogler’s film points to a larger state in Hollywood
What’s significant about Rockwell’s remark is the industry ripple effect it may warrant. For decades, Hollywood has leaned toward a PG-13, franchise-safe storytelling approach, leaving minimal room for creative risks in mainstream media.
Coogler’s Sinners, however, proved otherwise. With an R-rating, a majorly Black cast, and intricate themes around faith, violence, and redemption, the movie could’ve easily slid into a niche. Instead, it exploded at the box office with over $350 million in global returns (via Box Office Mojo).
It’s not just the financial success that caught Rockwell’s attention, though. What makes the Michael B. Jordan-starrer stand out is how Coogler didn’t dilute his vision or sanitize his original tone for the sake of being appealing to the masses. Instead, he shredded the formula, and this very divergence is what gave birth to Rockwell’s admiration. With speculations about a possible sequel, this praise points to the fact that future filmmaking might just be in the right hands of directors who don’t just take risks but do so authentically.
Both directors, Jenkins and Coogler, pushed boundaries, introducing a brand new model of success in Hollywood: uncensored, bold storytelling that acknowledges the audience’s intelligence.
Sinners is now available for renting on Apple TV+ (USA)
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
