The vampire film Sinners, set in Jim Crow-era Mississippi, exposes the dark truth behind Remmick’s (Jack O’Connell) sinister song-singing tactics. The Irishman, who is drawn to the blues music of Sammy “Preacher Boy” Moore, uses a 19th-century ballad, The Rocky Road to Dublin, to lure Black patrons to his side.
However, this choice of music reveals Remmick’s true intent: to exploit the oppression and suffering he finds in his new surroundings. Instead of offering liberation, he tempts them with a story of exchanging one form of suffering for another, perpetuating the cycle of pain.
The Choctaw vampire hunters, who corner Remmick and claim he is not what he appears to be, highlight his lack of authenticity. As Irish allies during the English-induced famine, they know that Remmick does not represent the Irish spirit of resistance but rather one of oppression.
Meanwhile, Annie (Wunmi Mosaku), a hoodoo healer with deep roots in Black culture, symbolizes resistance against a capitalist and racist system. When she is killed by Stack, Remmick’s true intentions are revealed: he desires her strength, not just the music that drew him to her.
Through Annie’s ancestral practices, the film reminds us of the importance of recognizing and resisting oppression. Unlike Preacher Boy’s family, who have been colonized by Christian church teachings, Annie holds onto her traditional spirituality, refusing to be swayed by Remmick’s siren song.
Sinners, directed by Ryan Coogler, leaves a trail of crumbs for future instalments, inviting us to explore the connections between oppression and resistance. By embracing our heritage and recognizing the strength that comes from within, we can resist stories of redemption that ultimately perpetuate more harm.
Source: https://theconversation.com/sinners-how-real-stories-of-irish-and-choctaw-oppression-inform-the-film-255291