There are certain lies we have gotten comfortable hearing about film audiences and their interests. Supposedly, we will not pay to see a film with a predominantly Black cast, or leave our houses to support a non IP-oriented original, let alone a horror film. Sinners, released on April 18, has just spent a fortnight disproving all of these convenient myths. The sexy, ambitious vampire thriller—the fifth feature film by Academy Award nominee Ryan Coogler—all but matched its opening at the domestic box office this past weekend, with projections by analysts marking the overall haul to be at least $200 million in the US alone.
There is much about the film that deserves praise: its lush cinematography, courtesy of Autumn Durald Arkapaw; its nuanced look at spirituality and the supernatural; its eroticism and deeply romantic view of art. Undoubtedly, though, it is Wunmi Mosaku’s turn as Hoodoo priestess Annie that really makes Sinners sing. The spiritual anchor and intellectual guide of the piece, her performance stands out in a cast filled with unforgettable talent. We spoke to the British star about her time on set, the lessons her character taught her about her own history, and what it felt like to shoot that already iconic surreal sontage.
Vogue: We can’t get enough of Sinners. What has it been like to see everyone’s reactions to the film?
Wunmi Mosaku: It’s been so overwhelming and uplifting and magical. To know that the community is behind us and is showing up for us not just out of loyalty, but because it’s a great film they needed to see made, because they understand that we need to show people we want to see more art like this, it means everything… Especially in a post-DEI world, there’s something so moving about people spending their hard-earned cash on this movie, because it’s more than just consumerism.
You always have critiques on your own performance as an actor, but once I left my vacuum and watched it with other people, suddenly those little notes I had felt inconsequential. The feeling outside…it’s so contagious.
Annie has such a formidable presence. Talk to me about your first impression of her.
I didn’t get the whole script at first. I only got that first interaction between her and Smoke, those seven pages. I remember Ryan talked me through the rest of the script because at first, from the pages I got, I thought the film was going to just be this wonderful love story. Whole time, this thing was meant to be some thrilling vampire story with all this clever social commentary woven [through]. I thought we were in a whole different world!
But reading those pages, I remember thinking first of all: this man can write. I felt so excited—for myself, for the industry as a whole. The depth and clarity he [Coogler] had when it came to their relationship—it was there in those seven pages. No unnecessary exposition, no filler. I always felt like Annie was going to change my life.
Her work as a Hoodoo healer is vital to her personhood. What was it like unearthing her spiritual identity?
Hearing about her roots and the mojo bag and her faith in those seven pages, I was like, “Who is this wonderful, fierce person who can keep people safe, near and far? Who has such a forgiveness that she doesn’t even require it of you, she just asks for the truth?”
It was so empowering to get to understand her faith. I felt like she unleashed a whole part of my ancestry for me. I never knew anything about Hoodoo prior to Annie. It’s a derivative of Ife, the traditional Yoruba religion. Hoodoo is such an intuitive, elevated, healing practise. It gave me such an appreciation for this spirituality my ancestors definitely practised. Being able to connect with it… something vibrated within me.
There is something sensual about the entire film, but Annie and Smoke’s scenes specifically are laden with such an intense, erotic chemistry, it made me feel like a voyeur at times. How did you and Michael B. Jordan build their love story together?
Woof. Elijah and Annie…they’re just everything. I think her love for him is inseparable from her magic. There is a reason why his mojo bag worked and no one else’s has. Annie’s doesn’t work, their daughters didn’t work. I think she poured everything she had into his mojo bag when they first met 20 years ago.
From the moment Michael and I first met, it was very easy. He’s a generous, good person… We just respect each other so much. That made all of it possible.
Watching that surreal montage in the theater felt like ascending. I can’t even begin to imagine what it felt like for you guys on set.
It felt exactly like that, like levitating. We shot it in two days, which is almost bizarre to say out loud because realistically, it should have taken way longer. That first day was a night shoot. There were bugs and flames everywhere. Let me tell you, though, we were on cloud nine. It felt electric. I was in awe of every performer’s gift. It was also the same night we did “Rocky Road to Dublin,” and everyone was so high off that energy that when we wrapped, we were all like, We’re not going anywhere. We are staying and watching, just to bask in it a little bit longer. When we did the one-shot steady cam for the interior, I made sure my daughter came to set that day. I just wanted her to soak in the energy of her people. It was beautiful. I never want to forget it.
Sinners has made me greedy. I want to see more of our stories brought to life, in every genre. What do you want do next? My pitch is a Ryan Coogler/Wunmi romance film. Ryan clearly understands how to frame and write women…
That sounds good as hell. I’m ready.
Would you actually be down? I’m adding this to the piece you know.
I would be so down. I just want to work with Ryan again, and you’re right: there’s a deftness to the way he handles the women in his stories that I love. I just want to tell good stories with good people. Ryan loves people. He empowers everyone. He makes everyone feel like the head of their department. He listens to you. If your face twitches, he goes, “I want to hear that thought. Tell me what you need.”
His love for his wife and his family, his relationship with his mother, and the woman she is too… He carries a divine wisdom inherited from her and from the other women around him. I feel like he wrote the greatest love story for Smoke and Annie, and their romance wasn’t even the central plot. I would love to see a romance film from him.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.