Sinners has been hailed as a wholly original work of genre filmmaking from Ryan Coogler, who crafted an epic vampire thriller that dealt with the historical context of Black America during the early 20th century. Although it’s impressive that Coogler was given so much control to pursue his ideas, he has been keen to note some of the key influences upon Sinners, including The Thing and the works of John Carpenter. However, Coogler has also cited Puss in Boots: The Last Wish as a major source of inspiration for Sinners, particularly in the way that he constructed his main villain.
Death in ‘Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” Served as Inspiration for Remmick
Although expectations may not have been high for the second installment in a Shrek spinoff series, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish proved to be a brilliant swashbuckling adventure epic that featured some of the most stunning visuals in modern animation. The film memorably literalized the force of Death in the form of a ruthless wolf, voiced by Wagner Moura, who becomes obsessed with tracking down Puss (Antonio Banderas) because he has “eluded” his fate.
The Wolf from Puss in Boots: The Last Wish inspired Coogler’s conception of the vampire Remmick, played by Jack O’Connell. Coogler stated that the character’s “defining characteristics” and “demeanor” helped him craft another supernatural villain who had managed to disguise himself as a normal being. The Wolf is able to trick Puss into believing that he is just another bounty hunter before revealing his true identity. Similarly, Remmick is dismissed as just being an Irish immigrant until he shows his vampiric abilities.
There are several visual similarities between the Wolf and Remmick, as they both have glowing red eyes and carry two weapons at their side at all times. However, they also share a motivation, as both villains seek to suppress the individuality of the heroes that oppose them. The Wolf believes that life should conform to what he deems fit, and is willing to insert himself into the physical world in order to claim victims that he believes should be dead. On the same note, Remmick seeks to control and exploit the black culture that the twins (Michael B. Jordan) have gathered. The
Wolf and Remmick both seek to control others by making them part of their hive; in the same way that the Wolf can judge anyone who has passed beyond the world of the living, Remmick can direct the actions of anyone who has been bitten as part of his cabal. Ironically, they are both defeated by an unlikely team of heroes that celebrate their differences and refuse to conform as an act of cowardice.
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‘Sinners’ and ‘Puss in Boots: The Last Wish’ Share Similar Themes
Sinners and Puss in Boots: The Last Wish combine western and supernatural aesthetics in order to craft an exciting blend of genres. In Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, the more traditional notion of a rogue hero hired to pull off a major heist is subverted when Puss realizes that fantastical forces are at play that could change the world. In Sinners, Smoke and Stack are able to craft their own community in the deep American south, but are soon faced with ancient forces of evil that want to demean and control them. Despite how action-packed they both are, Sinners and Puss in Boots: The Last Wish entice viewers with romantic storylines. Puss’ adventure becomes more emotional as a result of his rekindled romance with Kitty (Salma Hayek), and Smoke’s bond with Annie (Wunmi Mosaku) makes the final moments of Sinners even more devastating.
Sinners and Puss in Boots: The Last Wish both explore the power that myths and legends have to preserve culture and offer inspiration to further generations. Puss in Boots: The Last Wish initially shows Puss facing a crisis of confidence when he’s unable to live up to the legendary version of himself that has been constructed by others, but he is ultimately inspired to live up to this reputation. In Sinners, the music that Sammie (Miles Canton) preserved allows the memories of his community to last for generations. Puss in Boots: The Last Wish was a word-of-mouth hit that took the industry by surprise, and if the opening weekend is any indication, Sinners is about to do the same.
