Renowned filmmaker Ryan Coogler has expressed profound admiration for the legendary Christopher Nolan, especially during the promotional events for his latest film, <em>Sinners</em>. It appears that Coogler may have cleverly included a tribute to this esteemed director in his critically acclaimed movie. The genre-blending supernatural horror film continues to captivate audiences and is currently enjoying a remarkable run in theaters, following an unprecedented second-week box office hold. As viewers delve deeper into the film, they are uncovering various Easter eggs and developing intricate theories. One particularly intriguing theory pertains to the enigmatic Smokestack twins and their mysterious activities leading up to the events of the film.

The complex themes and exceptional filmmaking showcased in Sinners invite extensive analysis, demonstrating Coogler’s ambition to establish himself among the ranks of history’s greatest visual storytellers. Like many directors, he is transparent about seeking inspiration from his predecessors, and his respect for Christopher Nolan is particularly evident. The compelling theory shared below suggests that this admiration may have influenced a visual cue found in the film’s opening scene featuring Smoke and Stack Moore.

The Smokestack Twins’ First Appearance May Serve As An Homage To The Prestige

The Initial Frames Featuring the Twins Conceal A Captivating Detail

From the clues presented within the narrative of Sinners, coupled with various Easter eggs revealed through external sources, we ascertain that the Smokestack twins resided in Chicago during the timeline that bridges their military service in World War I and their subsequent return to Clarksdale, Mississippi. Upon their return, they opened a juke joint, arriving with a wealth of cash, Italian wine, and Irish beer, which suggests that they may have pilfered from both the Irish Mob and the Italian Mafia, notorious criminal organizations active during the 1930s. Notably, it is mentioned that they were even associated with Al Capone prior to his eventual arrest.

The attire donned by the twins at the film’s outset provides insight into their affiliations; Smoke’s Irish cap and conservative wool suit indicate his ties to the Irish Mob, whereas Stack’s flamboyant fedora and elaborately designed pinstriped suit signify his connection to the Mafia. During a tense moment, when Mary confronts Stack about the suspicious nature of their loot, questioning whether they might attract trouble, he confidently reassures her that the gangs will “never figure it out.” A visual hint suggests that the twin brothers may have successfully executed their dual heist by emulating the twin narrative from Christopher Nolan’s The Prestige.

In The Prestige, Christian Bale’s character reveals himself to be one half of a set of twins who interchangeably swap places, living a life split between two identities. During their first appearance in Sinners, Stack leans against a car, effectively obscured behind Smoke. The camera gradually pans across Smoke, unveiling that the singular figure introduced in this scene actually consists of two identical brothers, visually layered over one another. This clever visual storytelling could explain how they managed to outsmart both the Irish Mob and the Italian Mafia: utilizing one twin as a decoy while the other executed the heist.

Christopher Nolan Offered Insightful Guidance To Ryan Coogler During The Making Of Sinners

Nolan Was Acknowledged In The Film’s Credits

Integrating a tribute to Christopher Nolan through a character’s backstory and subtle visual cues aligns perfectly with Ryan Coogler‘s artistic vision, especially considering Nolan’s involvement in the creation of Sinners. Nolan received a special acknowledgment in the film’s credits for offering Coogler valuable insights on executing large format photography, drawing on his extensive experience with IMAX cameras alongside his wife and producer, Emma Thomas. Utilizing the unexpected twist from The Prestige to shape the narrative for Smoke and Stack serves as a fitting homage to this cinematic luminary.

Sinners Subtly Embeds Elements of the Twins’ Backstory Throughout

An Easter Egg Is Discreetly Hidden In Spotify

The intricate backstory of both Remmick and the Smokestack twins is only partially revealed during Sinners, yet observant viewers have unearthed additional details in an unexpected location. The true nature of their history was disclosed on Spotify, revealing a series of newspaper article images located within the artist information for the official “Sinners Movie” artist on the popular music streaming platform. One particular article referenced provides insight directly related to the chaos left in Smoke and Stack’s wake in Chicago, further solidifying the theory that they executed an audacious heist.

While Coogler has not explicitly confirmed any connection between The Prestige and Sinners, the evidence supporting this theory is compelling. Given his admiration for Christopher Nolan and the striking visual cues present in the twins’ initial scene, it is entirely plausible that Coogler had Nolan’s underrated psychological thriller in mind when crafting the intricate backstory for Smoke and Stack. It is possible that this theory may be validated in the future, whether through an interview with Coogler or perhaps in commentary tracks on the physical media release of Sinners.

Source: Spotify

[nospin]You can find the original article here; the images and photos used in our article are sourced from this reference. We do not hold the rights to these images; they have been utilized strictly for informational purposes, with appropriate attribution to their original source.[/nospin]

Share on Facebook

Post on X

Follow us

Save