He praised the film.
Christian rapper Lecrae recently discussed the film Sinners, a supernatural horror directed by Ryan Coogler, encouraging Christians to watch it despite its portrayal of anti-Christian themes. The film, set in 1930s Mississippi, follows twin brothers, played by Michael B. Jordan, as they confront a supernatural evil in their hometown. Lecrae noted that the movie flips traditional vampire tropes, presenting Christianity as either irrelevant or oppressive, while African spiritual practices like hoodoo are depicted as the true source of power.
Lecrae expressed his concerns on social media, highlighting how the film undermines Christianity and promotes hoodoo as a more powerful force. He criticized scenes where Christianity was portrayed negatively, including the mocking of the “sinner’s prayer” and the portrayal of gospel music as something forced upon people, in contrast to blues music, which is celebrated. Lecrae speculated that Coogler’s depiction might stem from personal experiences with religion, particularly the negative aspects of forced religious practices.
While Lecrae acknowledged the film’s strong production values and visual appeal, he warned viewers to approach it with discernment. He praised the film as “beautifully shot” but suggested that it used Christianity as a means of cultural empowerment at the expense of the faith. Lecrae quoted Frederick Douglass, who distinguished between the “slaveholding religion” of America and the true Christianity of Christ, using it to critique the film’s portrayal of Christianity as oppressive.
Lecrae also clarified his comments in a later podcast interview, stressing that while Christianity has been misused historically for oppression, this does not diminish its relevance or power. He pointed out that the film depicted church in a negative light, and he suggested that a more positive perspective would have recognized the roots of gospel music in the blues, emphasizing its uplifting and spiritual nature.
In recent years, Lecrae has been open about his struggles with mainstream Christianity, especially its connection to nationalism and white supremacy. He reflected on his own journey of “deconstructing” from the Western, political version of Christianity that he believes has been harmful. Despite his criticisms, Lecrae remains committed to his faith and encourages others to critically engage with media while staying true to their beliefs.