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Sinners · written by Ryan Coogler · 2025
Scene 19 of 110 · ≈ 2 min on screen · Act one
In 1932 Mississippi, gifted sharecropper-bluesman Sammie Moore wants to make a life in the blues beyond his preacher father's rules, but the opening night of his cousins' juke joint becomes a siege by a vampire offering the community belonging at the price of its freedom.
The legend and prologue frame Sammie's segregated Delta life under his father's church and the twins' shadow.
Sammie wants the freedom, recognition, and musical life he imagines beyond the plantation.
In the sedan, the twins puncture Sammie's dream of northern freedom by describing Chicago's racism in another form.
The trio uncovers the twins' hidden truck of supplies, kills a rattlesnake, and splits up to prepare the opening.
Stack tells Sammie how Smoke killed their abusive father and claims their guitar came from Charlie Patton before Sammie plays.
This scene
Smoke pulls up on a bustling street where black folks are standing outside shopping and fraternizing.
Smoke exits the truck and stares down a group of TEENAGERS. He calls one (a young woman) over.
SMOKE
Where you from?
TEENAGER
Shelby.
SMOKE
You know who I am?
Teenager shakes her head no. This hurts Smoke’s ego... but he gets over it quickly.
SMOKE (CONT’D)
You heard of the Smokestack Twins?
TEENAGER
Of course.
SMOKE
Good. I’m Smoke.
Fear sweeps across her face and she starts to back up.
SMOKE (CONT’D)
No it’s okay you not in trouble,
I’m about to put some money in
your pocket, now I need you to sit
in this truc k right here and if
somebody comes and looks at it too
long I want you to lean on this
horn alright? Can you do that?
The Teenager nods.
Smoke gives the Teenager his wrist watch.
SMOKE (CONT’D)
Can you tell time?
The Teenager shakes her head.
SMOKE (CONT’D)
Each one of these small lines is a
minute. And I’m gonna pay you ten
cents a minute, will that work for
you?
TEENAGER
Yes sir.
SMOKE
No. No ma’am! We talkin’ numb ers
now and numbers always gotta be in
conversation with each other.
SMOKE (CONT’D)
You gotta negotiate, ya
understand? Now ten cents ain't
gonna work for you. Talk another
number back to me.
TEENAGER
Smoke smiles.
SMOKE
20 cents the best I can do. We got
us a deal?
The teenager nods.
SMOKE (CONT’D)
Good. Jump in.
Smoke lets the Teenager into the truck. He then walks towards a Grocery Store with a colorful sign that reads DELTA GROCERY. He admires the sign for a quick beat and the n enters.