From Ryan Coogler - director of Black Panther and Creed - and starring Michael B. Jordan comes a new vision of fear: Sinners. Trying to leave their troubled lives behind, twin brothers (Jordan) return to their hometown to start again, only to discover that an even greater evil is waiting to welcome them back.

Entertainment Affair recently joined the cast and creative team behind Sinners for a virtual press conference moderated by Jacqueline Coley (Rotten Tomatoes). The panel gathered director Ryan Coogler, and a stacked cast that includes Michael B. Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld, Miles Caton, Jack O’Connell, Wunmi Mosaku, Jayme Lawson, Omar Benson Miller, Li Jun Li and legend Delroy Lindo. Check out a few highlights of the event below.

Michael B. Jordan & Ryan Coogler: A Powerful Partnership

Michael B. Jordan and Ryan Coogler's longstanding collaboration was a central topic of discussion. From their early work on Fruitvale Station to their latest project, the two have developed a unique and seamless shorthand that makes their teamwork effortless. Michael shared how their bond has deepened over the years, with his directorial debut giving him a greater understanding of the challenges Ryan faces. “The shorthand has done nothing but get stronger over the years,” said Jordan. Especially with this one being my first movie that I’ve done since I directed my first film, and just kind of having a deeper sense of empathy of what Ryan goes through on a day-to-day basis…And especially on this one, for me to be able to be an extra set of eyes for him and help where I can, or anticipate his movements or needs, allowed us to maybe get a little more done, especially when time’s always an issue on set in general.”

Ryan reflected on how Michael, now both an actor and a director, understands the pressure of the filmmaking process. He praised Michael's strong work ethic, kindness, and ability to create a positive atmosphere on set. “Mike is an empathetic guy…what I like the most about working with him is he has an incredible work ethic, but he’s also a very kind and family-oriented person…Kindness is the default, and that’s just infectious on a set in terms of establishing the tone that everybody’s going to work with,” Coogler said.

Miles Caton’s Breakout Moment

Miles Caton, who plays a key role in the film, shared the exciting journey of transitioning from a background singer on a world tour to starring in a major motion picture. He spoke about how he first got the call to audition, followed by his incredible experience on set, learning from industry veterans like Michael and Ryan. “I sent in a self-tape audition, and after that I got a call back. Then they sent a couple sides; it was a young kid just playing the guitar. So I did that, and I sent that off. The next thing I knew, I went to LA to do an audition. And I got to meet Mike, and I got to meet Ryan, along with Ludwig [Göransson] and a couple of other people. From there, I got to really talk with them about the role and just kind of put my best foot forward. After that, I was kind of able to really learn from them,” he shared.

Jack O'Connell's Villainous Depth

Jack O'Connell plays Remmick, a character who stirs up conflict in the narrative. While Remmick may be seen as a villain by some, Jack emphasized the complexity of his role. He discussed how Remmick’s actions are driven by a deep, almost twisted desire for love and connection, even if it’s through destructive means. “I think ‘villain’ is a fair description! There’s probably an easier way of doing things, but in the film, we do it the hard way. He’s all about fellowship and love. All he wants is just to bite you on your neck, and then that’s everlasting love! Just a little bite, you know? He’s constantly saying, ‘I promise I won’t hurt you!’ There’s the easy way, but then we’d end up going the hard way,” O’Connell explained.

Delroy Lindo Gets Physical

Delroy Lindo, known for his powerful performances, stepped into more physically demanding scenes in this film, particularly a fight scene in a juke joint. He talked about how meticulously choreographed the fight scenes were and how he appreciated the space to incorporate his own ideas into the action. Delroy praised Ryan’s approach to working with actors, which encourages collaboration and creativity, ensuring everyone feels empowered on set. “Ryan has a wonderful team that he puts at all [his] actors’ disposal.” Lindo said. “When I was younger, I did dance class. And fighting on film and in the theater, it’s like choreography. It’s choreographed. And on some level, the more violent the fights are, the more critically important it is that it be choreographed to a tee. And these fights were.”

Li Li and Cultural Representation

Li Li’s character in the film is a Chinese American woman in the Mississippi Delta—a representation not commonly seen on screen. Li Li shared her experience of learning about the Chinese American community in this region, a crucial but often overlooked part of history. It was a rewarding experience that allowed her to blend the authenticity of the culture with the unique character she was tasked with portraying. “I was not aware of the Chinese-American community in the Mississippi Delta at all,” she replied. “They were such a crucial part of the world at the time. They were the only people who were able to open up grocery stores specifically for the black and white communities, but they also endured a lot of prejudice themselves.”

The Beauty of the Louisiana Setting

The stunning Louisiana backdrop played a pivotal role in bringing the film’s romantic and intense love stories to life. Wunmi Mosaku, who portrays Annie, highlighted how the picturesque environment of the Mississippi Delta enhanced her character’s journey, adding magic to the relationship between Annie and Smoke. The setting felt like a character in itself, creating an emotional anchor for Annie’s story. “Annie's shop, her home is in this picturesque environment with these massive shaded oaks and what's the other tree, the one in Louisiana with the, I don't know what it's called? Moss. It's so beautiful and romantic and really adds to the magic of their relationship, their love. It elevates it,” she said. “Yeah, I really loved their environment. It felt like it really added to the scene, it added to our intimacy, it added to our connection.”

Hailee Steinfeld, whose character Mary navigates a new life in this environment, found the space equally impactful, noting how the physical setting, particularly the juke joint, played a significant role in Mary’s transformation. “The nights were crazy, and a lot of the nights took place inside the juke, too,” Steinfeld said. “We would go in and it would be light, and we’d come out and it would be light again. What I loved, though, so much about the juke for [my character] Mary was that even though it was a new place to her, it was home. There were so many elements within that juke that were created, that were brought to life, that were home.”

Ryan Coogler’s Egalitarian Set Culture

Both Jayme Lawson and Omar Benson Miller spoke about Ryan’s unique leadership style, which creates an egalitarian atmosphere on set. Omar praised Ryan for treating every member of the team equally, calling out people by name and making everyone feel valued, no matter their role. Jayme echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the sense of freedom and trust Ryan instills in his actors. “I’ve been blessed to work for a long time, and Ryan Coogler runs the most egalitarian set I have ever been on, and I say that in the most complimentary kind of way,” Miller responded. “Once we got to set, once everybody came out of the trailers, everybody was equal.”

“This is hands down my favorite experience,” Lawson added. “And I think the way Ryan really set the tone, that it felt like we could bring our stories with us, as he shared his with us. And it made for this collaboration where, I think I can speak for a lot of us, we found a level of freedom that oftentimes you don’t get to tap into.”

Sinners hits theaters everywhere on Friday, April 18.