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Sinners · written by Ryan Coogler · 2025
Scene 30 of 110 · ≈ 4 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.
Stack brings Sammie to the railroad station, recruits Delta Slim, and offers beer and money for the night's music.
Sammie and Delta Slim busk for a crowd as Stack advertises the juke and Mary confronts him about their past.
Smoke visits Annie's shack, mourns their dead baby at the grave, and asks Annie to join the juke.
This scene
It’s a store with a Tarot card reading table and lots of pickled items in mason jars. It’s an eclectic collection.
A couple YOUNG BLACK GIRLS look around at items. Smoke watches as the older of the two grabs a mason jar with PICKLED PIG FEET in it.
YOUNG BLACK GIRL
Just this Miss Annie...
The OTHER YOUNG BLACK GIRL whispers to the elder one.
YOUNG BLACK GIRL (CONT’D)
And a pinch of High John.
Annie smiles a nd goes to her collection of BAGGED DUSTS and grabs one. She hands it to the Girl, who hands Annie a piece of PLANTATION CURRENCY in return.
ANNIE
Don’t sell none of them on your
way home. Don’t need yo mama
coming at me crazy later.
The Girl smiles as she exits.
Smoke pulls the PLANTATION CURRENCY out of Annie’s hand.
ANNIE (CONT’D)
Excuse me?
SMOKE
Can’t believe you taking this make
believe shit.
Smoke looks at the bill with contempt. Annie pulls a straight razor from nowhere.
ANNIE
Smoke give me my money before I
cut yo black ass.
SMOKE
Put that blade up, woman.
Smoke pulls a wad of money and tears her off a bill. She tucks her blade back.
SMOKE (CONT’D)
Here, I’ll trade you.
He tries to hand it off to Annie but she reaches for her plantation bill.
ANNIE
I don’t want your money.
SMOKE
Don’t be stupid.
ANNIE
I ain't stupid. Yo money comes
with blood.
SMOKE
All money come with blood baby.
ANNIE
Not like yours.
SMOKE
This won’t even spend nowhere
else.
ANNIE
I ain't goin nowhere else.
Annie takes the plantation bill back.
ANNIE (CONT’D)
I don’t need that cursed money you
got.
SMOKE
You know woman I been all over
this world. Been in cars, on
ships, and trains. Seen men die in
ways I didn’t know was possible.
(MORE)(MORE)
SMOKE (CONT’D)
And with all the shit I seen, I
ain't ever saw no roots, no
ghosts, no demons and no magic. If
I’m cursed it was sho before I was
old enough to steal something.
ANNIE
You fool. How you know roots ain't
what kept you alive? All that war,
and whatever the hell else you was
doing in Chicago, and you back
here in front of me with two arms,
two legs, two eyes, and a brain
that work. How you know I ain't
pray and work every root my
grandmama taught me to keep you
and that crazy brother of yours
safe, every day since you been
gone?
Smoke hunches down. Maybe shame peeking through.
SMOKE
Why them roots ain’t work on our
baby then?
It’s a low blow, but Smoke’s confusion is genuine. It’s been years but it’s still fresh for him, and for her.
ANNIE
I don’t know. But they work for
you.
(beat)
You still got t hat mojo bag?
Smoke reaches down into his shirt and pulls up a leather necklace. It has his dog tag and a small leather bag.
Annie smiles with her eyes but not her mouth.
She takes the bag, opens it, and begins the process of “feeding” it. Emptying old contents and adding more.
ANNIE (CONT’D)
Why you here Smoke? What you want
wit me?
SMOKE
We hoping to serve food at this
Juke. And I want you to cook.
Annie pauses for a beat.
ANNIE
Elijah. Why are you here?
SMOKE
You want me to say it?
Annie answers with a look.
SMOKE (CONT’D)
It still hurts coming back here.
But I love you. And I miss you.
She walks over to the entrance of her shop and shuts the door. She approaches Smoke, who leans his head on her chest. She kisses his neck. Smoke holds her close.
Annie grips his dick through his pants and slides her tongue into his ear. Smoke winces in pleasure.
ANNIE (SUBTITLE)
Your body ain’t forget me.
Annie moves her hand to Smoke’s throat and clutches it.
Smoke kisses her then spins her around and slowly kisses her neck while unbuttoning his pants. Annie leans into his kiss while Smoke pulls up her dress slowly, his hand moving slowly from he her hip to under her dress.
Smoke leans Annie on the counter and thrusts into her.