LOS ANGELES — Sinners, directed by Ryan Coogler and starring Michael B. Jordan, delivered one of the biggest moments of the 98th Academy Awards, taking home four Oscars in a night that celebrated the film’s artistry, music, and powerful performances.
Hosted by Conan O’Brien, the ceremony also featured a stirring performance of “I Lied to You” by Miles Caton alongside trailblazing ballerina Misty Copeland. Entering the night with a record-leading 16 nominations, Sinners cemented its place as one of the most talked-about films of the year.
Ryan Coogler Makes History with Best Original Screenplay Win
For starters, Sinners director Ryan Coogler won Best Original Screenplay, becoming only the second Black American in Academy Awards history to receive the prestigious honor, following Jordan Peele 2018 Oscar win for Get Out.
Dressed in a classic tuxedo and rocking cornrows designed with a guitar and treble clef as a tribute to his grandfather’s love of blues from the Mississippi Delta, Coogler approached the mic to accept the award.
“Please sit down because I’m very nervous, and they’re going to play me off,” he joked as the audience laughed.
Reflecting on the honor, Coogler thanked the Academy and his fellow nominees. “I want to thank the Academy for thinking of our movie that came out almost a year ago and giving it this incredible honor,” he said. “I want to thank my fellow nominees and the gifts that y’all movies were.”
Coogler also took time to recognize the people closest to him, thanking his cast and crew as “the best in the world” and expressing gratitude to his parents for helping him believe in himself.
Ending on a heartfelt note, he spoke directly to his children watching at home. “I apologize for all the time away,” he said. “I love y’all more than anything.”
Autumn Durald Arkapaw Becomes First Woman to Win Best Cinematography
Sinners cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw made history at the Academy Awards, becoming the first woman — a Black woman, for that matter — to win Best Cinematography.
During her acceptance speech, Arkapaw reflected on the creative trust she shares with director Ryan Coogler.
“Whenever I say thank you to Ryan, he replies, ‘No, thank you. Thank you for believing in me and trusting me,’” she said. “That’s the kind of guy I get to make films with.”
She also acknowledged the women who helped pave the way for her career, asking them to be recognized in the room.
“I really want all the women in the room to stand up,” Arkapaw said. “I feel like I don’t get here without you guys.”
Arkapaw then turned her gratitude toward the many collaborators behind the film, thanking Warner Bros., her crew, the cast, and her family for their support throughout the journey.
The Blues Behind Sinners: Ludwig Göransson Wins Best Original Score
Another major win for Sinners came in the Best Original Score category, where composer Ludwig Göransson took home the Oscar for his powerful musical work on the film.
Göransson, a frequent collaborator of director Ryan Coogler, created a score that blended haunting orchestration with blues influences rooted in the cultural traditions of the Mississippi Delta, helping shape the film’s emotional atmosphere.
During his acceptance speech, Göransson reflected on the musical influence that shaped his life and career.
“My dad bought his first blues album in Sweden in 1964. It was a John Lee Hooker album,” he said. “Even though it was on the other side of the world from a place my dad had never been, the music was so powerful that it changed his life.”
Göransson said his father later placed a guitar in his hands when he was just a child, an instrument that ultimately shaped his future.
“It was the guitar that opened a lot of doors for me,” he said. “It was the guitar that brought me over to the States and eventually led me to one of the greatest storytellers of our time, Ryan Coogler.”
He concluded by thanking the director for his creative vision and the opportunity to be part of a film that resonated with audiences around the world.
Michael B. Jordan’s Dual Performance as Smoke and Stack Earns Oscar
One of the biggest moments for the film at this year’s Academy Awards came when Michael B. Jordan won Best Actor, his first Oscar, earning one of the night’s most celebrated awards for his performance in the film.
Jordan took on the challenging dual role of twin brothers Smoke and Stack, delivering two distinct characters whose emotional tension helps drive the story. The brothers navigate loyalty, identity, and survival in a world shaped by the blues traditions of the Mississippi Delta, making Jordan’s performance one of the most talked-about elements of the film.
Taking the stage to accept the award, Jordan began his speech with gratitude and a nod to his family.
“God is good. God is good,” he said. “Y’all know how I feel about my mother. And my father’s here. Pops, where you at? My dad came in from Ghana to be here.”
Jordan also thanked Warner Bros. and praised director Ryan Coogler for believing in the project and its cultural significance.
“I want to thank Warner Brothers and Mike and Pam for believing in this dream and this vision of Ryan Coogler and betting on the culture and betting on original ideas and original artistry,” Jordan said. “I’m so honored to call you a collaborator and a friend.”
Reflecting on the legacy of Black actors who paved the way for him, Jordan acknowledged the giants whose work shaped the industry.
“I stand here because of the people that came before me: Sidney Poitier, Denzel Washington, Will Smith,” he said.
Jordan closed his speech by thanking audiences who supported the film.
“To everybody at home who supported Sinners and went to see the movie once, twice, three, four, or five times, thank you,” he said. “You guys made this movie what it is. I love you.”