The Black Panther star celebrates Ryan Coogler’s bold storytelling and cultural impact
Summary
– Danai Gurira compares watching Sinners to her first unforgettable movie experience
– She applauds Ryan Coogler’s originality and refusal to follow industry trends
– Gurira urges audiences to stop boxing the film into a single genre
Danai Gurira has delivered a powerful tribute to Sinners, describing the film as a rare cinematic experience that reignited her sense of wonder as both an artist and an audience member.
The Black Panther star reflected on the first time she ever felt truly moved by a movie, recalling how E.T. left a lasting emotional imprint on her as a child. That same feeling, she revealed, returned decades later when she sat down to watch Ryan Coogler’s latest project.
Gurira explained that working on Black Panther prevented her from experiencing it purely as an audience member. Sinners, however, allowed her to surrender fully to the screen, rediscovering the magic that first drew her to cinema.
She praised the film’s immersive sound design, striking cinematography, and layered storytelling. According to Gurira, every element worked in harmony to create something that felt singular and deeply personal.
Originality, she noted, is not often rewarded in today’s industry climate. Gurira emphasized the courage it took for Coogler to push forward with a story that refuses to conform to studio expectations. She described the project as a creative statement that encourages artists to tell their stories without compromise.
Attempts to define Sinners within traditional genres miss the point, Gurira argued. While some may call it horror or even a musical, she insisted that neither label captures its full scope. The film blends allegory, romance, social commentary, and music into a cinematic language of its own.
She also highlighted how the film sparked conversation among viewers. Packed theaters, repeated viewings, and post-screening applause signaled to her that something meaningful was happening. Gurira shared that she returned for another screening in IMAX and found every seat filled, a testament to its resonance.
Beyond the artistry, Gurira spoke passionately about Coogler himself. Having collaborated with him on major projects and witnessed his leadership up close, she expressed pride in his ability to elevate global Black stories while succeeding within the Hollywood system.
At her most emphatic, Gurira compared Coogler’s cultural influence to that of historic leaders who reshape industries and shift narratives. She credited him with mainstreaming an unapologetic, epic portrayal of the Black experience on a global scale.
Sinners, she concluded, stands as proof of what cinema can achieve when artists reject limitations. For Gurira, the film did more than entertain. It restored belief in storytelling’s power to inspire, challenge, and awaken something timeless within its audience.
