When you think "Sinners," the first thought shouldn't be sex. But it's near impossible to ignore Ryan Coogler's genius in capturing intimacy without even any nudity.
"Sinners" is a suspenseful horror film centered around twin brothers, both played by Michael B. Jordan, who return to their hometown in the Mississippi Delta to open a juke joint. Oh, and along the way, they cross paths with a couple vampires. And while the action and horror elements do pull the focus, "Sinners" also carves out time for several romantic subplots, which culminate in steamy sex scenes at various points of the film.
The intimacy portrayed feels different, however, because of the emphasis placed on female pleasure. From conversations around oral sex to a spit-kink moment, these scenes are lustful and exciting while still being respectful towards female protagonists.
Like other Coogler productions, the movie maintains historically accurate references, and this seems to extend to efforts to keep the intimacy realistic and reciprocal in lieu of the male-centric perspectives audiences are preconditioned to. (It's of course worth spotlighting here the "Sinners" intimacy coordinators, Amanda Peek and Krystal Ferdinand.)
Too often we see characters define mind-blowing sex around how "freaky" a woman is while men are simply getting in and getting out. We're short on real conversations around men who take pride in being "certified eaters" and women being sexually confident. So getting doses of that in "Sinners" - from a male director, no less - is a breath of fresh air. Here's more on why.
Cunniligus Enters the Chat
The initial introduction of sex in "Sinners" is as blatant as possible: Jordan's character, Stack, is shown teaching his cousin, Sammie (Miles Caton), about cunnilingus, described as "soft ice cream licks." This was not on my bingo card, and to be completely honest, the reference shocked me. What does a man from 1932 Mississippi even know about oral sex? That's when I realized this movie is for women.
This is one of the many times Stack, along with his twin brother Smoke, instill such life lessons in their cousin. Though their methods lean unorthodox, the intention is positive. Throughout the movie, they usher him through manhood whether by nurturing his guitar talents or showing how to close business deals. And it's refreshing that one of those vital precepts was not only the idea of female oral pleasure, but making sure it's actually done right.
Though viewers can't be certain Sammie is a virgin before meeting Pearline (Jamye Lawson), his love interest, cunnilingus is portrayed as something he'd never experienced - but was happy to try. And when the pair do indeed give it a try, there's something comforting in the way Pearline self-consciously expresses wanting to "freshen up," followed by Sammie's reassurance.
It begs the question: if more men took the time to have these conversations, would there be a greater emphasis placed on (and appreciation of) female arousal?
Annie Owns Her Sexual Power
Contrasting Sammie and Pearline's more innocent encounter is Annie (Wunmi Mosaku) and Smoke. Theirs is a tortured kind of love, and the sex scene that unfolds between Annie and her estranged husband isn't of a hopeless romantic weak at the very sight of him. Before allowing him "into her good graces," Annie whispers, "Your body still remembers me."
Annie is depicted as a confident, self-possessed woman fully aware of her power over Smoke - and that she'd always be his best. More importantly, their intimacy scenes aren't lewd or cliché. After not mincing words about their complicated past, Annie admits to still praying for Smoke's safety; the tone shifts, and it's the first time viewers see Smoke soften. Then, the estranged lovers become enraptured, and in one swift move, Smoke lifts Annie's skirt and viewers get a cute ten seconds of passion.
It's worth noting that, with the bar for Hollywood beauty standards being in hell, there's unfortunately an expectation for a main character's love interest to fit a certain (oftentimes more Eurocentric) mold, but Mosaku is a striking, dark-skinned woman who is rightfully put on an adored pedestal in the film without being fetishized. It's a subtle, yet resonant, reminder that the same applies to Black women in the real world.
Mary Flips the Script
Then there's Mary (Hailee Steinfeld) and Stack. Mary is depicted as quite the force from her very introduction, where she's shown publicly scolding Stack for his bad behavior (essentially loving her and leaving her). The exes end up repairing things at the juke joint, but unfortunately just before Mary gets turned by the film's lead vampire, Remmick.
Mary and Stack's subsequent sex scene is an interesting look into their power dynamic. Even their positioning - with Stack on his back and Mary on top - displays her newfound control.
When Mary begins to drool during sex, Stack said, "You're drooling." She replied, "You want some?" He nodded without hesitation, she dripped into his mouth, and they continued. Call it a reach, but it's almost as though Stack created a safe space for Mary to explore a sexual kink.
While Mary might have been emotionally destroyed by Stack's abandonment, well, those who've seen the movie will know she pretty much gets her lick back then and there. In that moment, it almost seems as though Mary's seduction is key to giving her the life she always wanted: an eternity with Stack.
Final Thoughts
"Sinners" seems to be the latest in an industry shift towards better, more inclusive sex scenes. Though there has been much progress, women protagonists so often lack sexual agency, primacy, and power on screen, and the fact that, in 2025, I was shocked to hear a man teach another man about oral sex in a movie speaks for itself. If I had a dollar for every time female pleasure wasn't referenced as a quick task so a man can get his turn, I'd let Remmick bite me just to escape poverty.
Related: So Your Wife Wants an Erotic Massage . . . Breanna Chionne is an LA-based content creator and storyteller who loves to take up space while sharing her unique perspectives on life. Originally from Washington "Chocolate City" DC, Breanna takes pride in using her platforms to make sure Black women always feel seen. Think of her as your sex-positive, beauty-loving bestie with a tiny true crime obsession and a million stories to tell. Read More Details
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