Critical Darlings

"Sinners" And The Academy’s Growing Genre Acceptance with Sam Sanders

Critical Darlings

Show Notes

This week we’re joined by Sam Sanders of The Sam Sanders Show to discuss Sinners, the most nominated film in Academy Awards history. With sixteen nominations across directing, writing, music, and acting categories, Sinners is a somewhat surprising record breaker, as genre films, especially films with horror elements, are rarely awarded by The Academy.

On this episode we discuss the film, why it was able to break through, if Sinners counts as a genre film; and if so, what genre it represents. We also get into what effect the Warner Bros. Paramount merger might have on the Oscars, the film’s blunt sexuality, Michael B. Jordan’s double act, and what to make of the film's coda. Finally, Sam makes an impassioned case for Sung Song Blue and Kate Hudson’s nominated performance.

Check out Sam’s interviews with Kate Hudson, as well as some of the cast and crew of Sinners on ⁠The Sam Sanders Show.

Subscribe to Richard's newsletter, ⁠Premiere Party,⁠ and read Alison's work at ⁠Vulture.

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