Sinners

Sinners

From The Rough Cut by Matt Feury

January 19, 2026 · 52 min

About this episode

Editor Michael P. Shawver discusses his collaboration with director Ryan Coogler on the film Sinners, exploring themes of racial injustice and supernatural horror.

Editor - Michael P. Shawver Sinners editor Michael Shawver has enjoyed a long and productive relationship with his former USC classmate, director Ryan Coogler. Together the two have collaborated on Fruitvale Station , Creed , Black Panther , Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and now Sinners . Their past experience on both VFX-heavy films like Black Panther, as well as socio-political dramas like Fruitvale Station , would prove invaluable as they worked to blend the real horror of racial injustice with the fantastical horror of a vampire onslaught. Taking place in 1932, Sinners follows identical twins, and World War I veterans, Elijah "Smoke" and Elias "Stack" Moore as they return to Clarksdale, Mississippi after spending seven years in Chicago. Using money stolen from criminal syndicates, they purchase a sawmill from a landowner to start a juke joint for the local Black community. Their younger cousin Sammie, a singer and guitarist, joins them despite his pastor father's warnings about the sins of blues music. His warnings would prove prophetic, as the twins and their friends face foes both familiar and supernatural. MICHAEL P. SHAWVER Originally from Rhode Island, Sinners editor…

People in this episode

Host: Matt Feury

Guest: Michael P. Shawver

Topics covered

  • editing
  • film collaboration
  • racial injustice
  • vampire horror
  • music and culture
  • historical drama

Keywords

  • Michael P. Shawver
  • Ryan Coogler
  • Sinners
  • editing
  • vampires
  • racial injustice
  • film
  • music
  • historical drama

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Fruitvale Station, Creed, Black Panther, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Sinners

Places: Clarksdale, Mississippi

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