Dave Portnoy, founder of Barstool Sports, expressed disappointment in the vampire thriller Sinners, which stars Hailee Steinfeld, wife of Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen. The film, released on April 18, did not meet Portnoy’s expectations despite the strong buzz it received.
Portnoy originally planned to watch the film Weapons, but when he found it was not available for streaming, he opted for Sinners instead. This Ryan Coogler-directed movie features Steinfeld as a 1930s Mississippi vampire, with Michael B. Jordan playing dual roles as twin brothers who return from World War I.
“I’ve heard all the hype about Weapons, planned my entire weekend around watching it,” Portnoy tweeted. “I didn’t realize it wasn’t available to stream yet. So I went with Sinners instead.”
Several months after its release, Portnoy criticized Sinners sharply, calling it one of the most overrated films he has seen.
“I may be like 6 months late with this critique but that was one of the most overhyped, overrated movies of all time. If you say that movie was great, you have no movie credibility with me.”
Mixed Reactions From NFL Figures Regarding ‘Sinners’
Josh Allen publicly praised the movie during an April media session, calling it fantastic and highlighting his wife Hailee Steinfeld’s performance. Allen, fresh off an MVP season with impressive stats, also celebrated his recent marriage to Steinfeld on May 31, describing the event as
“the best night of my life”
in HBO’s Hard Knocks footage.
However, some NFL players showed less enthusiasm. Sauce Gardner, cornerback for the New York Jets and Allen’s division rival, made a lighthearted comment on social media indicating he would not watch the film.
“out of respect for my dawg Josh, i will not be going to see Sinners,” Gardner tweeted in April.
Background and Themes of ‘Sinners’ and Its Creative Roots
Hailee Steinfeld has regarded her role in Sinners as one of her most meaningful. She portrayed Mary, a multi-racial vampire in a period drama set in Mississippi, connecting the character to aspects of her own family history, as reported by Deadline.
Director Ryan Coogler revealed that the story was inspired by personal memories of his uncle from Mississippi, whose passion for blues music influenced the film’s themes. Michael B. Jordan plays twin brothers who aim to open a blues club after returning from World War I, only to encounter supernatural threats in their hometown.
Significance and Future Impact of the Film’s Reception
The polarized opinions on Sinners highlight the challenges faced by films that blend historical settings with fantastical elements, especially when linked to high-profile personalities like Steinfeld and her husband Josh Allen. While the movie has drawn praise for its performances and storytelling foundations, the criticism from figures like Dave Portnoy and the playful jabs from NFL rivals signal a mixed cultural reception. Moving forward, the discussion around Sinners may influence how similar projects are marketed and received, particularly when celebrity connections intensify public expectations.