Ryan Coogler’s Sinners entered the 98th Academy Awards as a record-breaking contender and left with four major wins, including best actor for Michael B. Jordan, best original screenplay, best cinematography and best original score. The film, which received 16 nominations, was widely seen as one of the night’s defining works, even as it fell short of best picture.
Jordan, who portrayed twin brothers in the film, used his acceptance speech to thank audiences directly. “I just want to say thank you for everybody in this room that had something to do with my success,” he said. “Everybody at home who supported Sinners… you guys made this movie what it is.”
The win caused a major upset, with some believing that Timothée Chalamet should have clinched the best actor award for his ping-pong-based movie, “Marty Supreme.”
On SiriusXM’s Urban View, host Karen Hunter called the performance “simply incredible,” adding, “He probably should have gotten two statues… he was so many people in that.”
Her guest host, esteemed author Kevin Powell, echoed her sentiments “Michael is a singular talent,” Powell said. “And so is Ryan Coogler… everything he does is in partnership.” He added that the film’s success reflects a larger need for creative independence. “We have to create these spaces because they’re the alternative spaces that we need.”
Both hosts described “Sinners” as a work that resonated beyond traditional categories. Powell went on to note that the film “captured 400 years of history through the lens of Black music,” while Hunter acknowledged the emotional response it elicited, recalling a key scene recreated during the ceremony. “I got the same feeling… it was magical,” she said.
At the same time, they questioned how the film was received by some audiences and institutions.
Powell explained that, “Because of the times we’re in… I expected them to be dissed in certain ways,” arguing that industry recognition still reflects long-standing patterns. “Where’s the balance at? There’s a lack of balance in how we’re represented.”
“There’s two Americas,” Hunter chimed in.
For Powell, the film’s legacy stretches far beyond awards. “We got to create our own thing,” he said. “That’s what we got to keep doing.”
Watch the full exchange below.
