Director Coogler Reveals Backstory of 'Sinners' Twins Smoke and Stack

The filmmaker fills in the gaps on the characters' past before the events of the hit horror movie.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 6:55am

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In a new interview, director Ryan Coogler has provided more details on the backstory of the enigmatic twin brothers Smoke and Stack, played by Michael B. Jordan, in the 2025 vampire film 'Sinners'. Coogler revealed that the twins killed their father, hid out at the home of Hailee Steinfeld's character Mary, then went on to serve in the military in France before returning home and going their separate ways for a time. The director also explained the origins of Smoke's relationship with his love interest Annie, and why Stack and Mary had a romantic connection.

Why it matters

Coogler's insights into the twins' backstory help fill in important narrative gaps from the film and provide more context around the characters' motivations and relationships. This additional information enhances the depth and complexity of Smoke and Stack's arcs, which were central to the critically acclaimed horror movie.

The details

According to Coogler, after killing their father, Smoke and Stack hid out at the home of Mary, the mother of Hailee Steinfeld's character. The twins then went to New York and joined the military, fighting in France, before returning home for a period. It was during this time that Stack began a relationship with Mary, who was older than the twins. Later, Smoke and Annie got their own house, while Stack and Mary moved to Little Rock. The brothers eventually reunited and went to Chicago, where they stole money that they used to open a juke joint back home - setting the stage for the events of 'Sinners'.

  • Smoke and Stack killed their father.
  • Smoke and Stack hid out at Mary's mom's place.
  • Smoke and Stack went to New York and joined the military, fighting in France.
  • Smoke and Annie got their own house, while Stack and Mary moved to Little Rock.
  • Smoke and Stack reunited and went to Chicago, where they stole money to open a juke joint back home.

The players

Ryan Coogler

The director of the 2025 horror film 'Sinners'.

Michael B. Jordan

The actor who played the dual roles of Smoke and Stack, the enigmatic twin brothers, in 'Sinners'.

Hailee Steinfeld

The actress who played Mary, the mother of whose funeral Smoke and Stack missed, in 'Sinners'.

Annie

Smoke's love interest in 'Sinners'.

Mary

The older woman with whom Stack had a romantic relationship in 'Sinners'.

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— Ryan Coogler, Director

“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. When they lost their daughter was when things got rocky, they both basically left their partners and went to Chicago.”

— Ryan Coogler, Director

The takeaway

Coogler's revelations about Smoke and Stack's backstory add important depth and context to the central characters of the acclaimed horror film 'Sinners', shedding light on their troubled past and the complex relationships that shaped their journeys before the events of the movie.