Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
11
Premium Benefits
24/7
Access Available
21K+
Active Members
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information, you confirm you are aged 16 or over, have read our Privacy Policy and agree to the Terms & Conditions. Geographical rules apply.

Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
  • Home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
Trending
  • Best Netflix Movies
  • Movie Release Dates
  • Best movies on Disney Plus
  • Best Netflix Shows
Sign up for the Total Film Newsletter

Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
  1. Entertainment
  2. Movies
  3. Horror Movies
  4. Sinners

Sinners director Ryan Coogler has filled in the gaps on what went down between Smoke and Stack before they left for Chicago

News
By Megan Garside published 29 January 2026

Ryan Coogler has shed some light on Smoke and Stack's backstory

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Michael B. Jordan as 'Smoke' and 'Stack' in Ryan Coogler's new vampire horror Sinners
(Image credit: Warner Bros.)
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
0
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Subscribe to our newsletter

Director Ryan Coogler has finally shed some light on what happened to Michael B. Jordan's enigmatic twins Smoke and Stack before the events of Sinners.

At the start of 2025 vampire movie Sinners, we meet twins Elijah and Elias Moore, better known as Smoke and Stack, who return to their hometown in Mississippi looking to start over after making it big in Chicago. However, though we can read between the lines, they never really address why they dipped out in the first place.

"They killed their father, hid out at Mary’s mom’s place, then went to New York and joined the military. Went to fight in France, and they went back home for a little bit. Mary was older, so that was when Stack and Mary happened," said Coogler in an interview with Proximity Media.

Latest Videos From
Watch full video here:

We already knew that Smoke and Stack had lived with the mother of Hailee Steinfeld's character, Mary, which is why she was so upset that they didn't attend her funeral. However, due to Mary only being a child when they lived there, we were unsure exactly when the romantic connection had started. As for why Smoke's love interest, Annie, was never too keen on his brother, Coogler has answers for that, too.

Coogler explains that after their return to town, the brothers went their separate ways. "It was like a 3-year run where the twins had basically broke up; Smoke and Annie got their house and Stack and Mary went to Little Rock," added Coogler. "When they lost their daughter was when things got rocky, they both basically left their partners and went to Chicago."

You may like
  • Michael B. Jordan accepting the Best Actor Oscar for Sinners Sinners star Michael B. Jordan wins Best Actor, one of the biggest awards of the night
  • Will Smith as Dr. Robert Neville in I Am Legend I Am Legend 2 release date speculation, cast, plot, trailer, and everything we know about the upcoming horror sequel
  • The Bear The Bear star can't reveal if cliffhanger ending in surprise episode takes place before season 5

The movie picks up with the duo returning to town with the money they stole in Chicago, which they use to start a juke joint. However, the party is soon crashed by a gang of vampires, and well, we all know how that one ends.

Michael B. Jordan blew fans away with his performance as dual brothers, so much so that he has been nominated for both the Oscar and the BAFTA for Best Actor in a Leading Role. In fact, Sinners has already made Oscar history, receiving 16 nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director.

Sign up for the Total Film Newsletter

Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

For more on what to watch, check out our guide to upcoming horror movies and this year's best upcoming movies.

Megan Garside
Megan Garside
Social Links Navigation
Junior Social Media Editor, GamesRadar+

I'm the Junior Social Media Editor here at GamesRadar+, handling all of Total Film's social platforms. However, I also write, covering all things film and TV for the site's entertainment section. I joined GamesRadar+ in 2023 and have been here ever since. I previously worked in communications after graduating with an MA in journalism. In my spare time, you can find me binging horror movies or getting lost in a cosy little game on my Switch.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.

Read more
Michael B. Jordan accepting the Best Actor Oscar for Sinners
Film Festivals & Awards Sinners star Michael B. Jordan wins Best Actor, one of the biggest awards of the night
 
 
Will Smith as Dr. Robert Neville in I Am Legend
Action Movies I Am Legend 2 release date speculation, cast, plot, trailer, and everything we know about the upcoming horror sequel
 
 
The Bear
Drama Shows The Bear star can't reveal if cliffhanger ending in surprise episode takes place before season 5
 
 
An alien turning into a human
Sci-Fi Shows Sinners director Ryan Coogler is executive producing an Animorphs show because hell yeah
 
 
Insidious: Out of the Further
Horror Movies Insidious 6 is set to introduce "funny", Dracula-esque villain played by A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms star
 
 
Eleven in Stranger Things: Tales From '85
Animated Shows Stranger Things: Tales From '85 ending explained – Does Nikki die? Where did the monsters come from?
 
 
Latest in Horror Movies
An image from the Backrooms trailer
Horror Movies Horror is dominating the box office as Obsession and Backrooms outperform The Mandalorian and Grogu over the weekend
 
 
An image from the Backrooms trailer
Horror Movies Backrooms director says Portal 2 is the "biggest inspiration" for new A24 horror movie
 
 
Renate Reinsve as Dr. Mary Kline in Backrooms
Horror Movies Backrooms star debunks bizarre rumor the new horror movie from 20-year-old director was "ghost directed"
 
 
Michael Johnston as 'Bear' in Obsession
Horror Movies After an even better second weekend, horror movie Obsession has made its production budget back almost 75 times over
 
 
Austin Abrams as Bryan in Resident Evil
Horror Movies Resident Evil movie director Zach Cregger talks "divided reaction" to the trailer
 
 
Nicolas Cage in Longlegs
Horror Movies Longlegs 2 star Nicolas Cage says he feels "pride of ownership" over the killer character, "influenced" by his mom
 
 
Latest in News
Faye in God of War Laufey stands behind bars, with Phranque the cube in the background.
God of War God of War Laufey star says new hero Faye is "just as strong and just as good a warrior" as Kratos, but more "acrobatic"
 
 
Strauss Zelnick in WWE 2K26
Fighting Games 8 years after Take-Two's CEO went shirtless with his 8% body fat physique, he's now in WWE 2K26
 
 
Piko Park rainbow cats
Puzzle Games This game took over Steam and was accidentally given away for free, now devs say it will be removed
 
 
GTA 6
Grand Theft Auto "Not every publisher" is running away from GTA 6 and making September a nightmare of game releases
 
 
GTA Online
Grand Theft Auto GTA 5 is still selling millions a year, letting Rockstar do whatever it wants with GTA 6
 
 
Lara Croft in Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis
Tomb Raider Tomb Raider Legacy of Atlantis is the OG "reimagined in ways that weren't possible 30 years ago"
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Strauss Zelnick in WWE 2K26
    1
    8 years after Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick went shirtless with his 8% body fat physique, he's now a playable wrestler in WWE 2K26
  2. 2
    God of War Laufey star Deborah Ann Woll says "Kratos gameplay is so fantastic because he's such a heavy hitter," but new protagonist Faye is "just as strong and just as good a warrior"
  3. 3
    This game took over Steam and was accidentally given away for free, now the devs say it "will be removed from the store"
  4. 4
    "Not every publisher" is running away from GTA 6 and making September a nightmare of game releases, Devolver Digital reminds everyone
  5. 5
    After 26 years of RPGs, Obsidian legend Josh Sawyer admits he's still trying to make a good armor system

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...