"Sinners": A Character Analysis (Elijah "Smoke" Moore)

Hello and welcome to another week of Sinners! I spent the last couple of weeks thinking about whether or not I wanted to do a post about this film right after the last character analysis on Sammy. I think I'm just worried that everyone could get burnt out on back-to-back Sinners posts, but I figured it would be better to ask you all, so let me know what you guys think! (When I'm obsessed with something, there's no shutting me up about it, so please give me your thoughts.) I would also like to thank everyone for the patience on this post and my lack of updates on when the next post would be coming. In order to keep up with the blog and connect with other VersaScares ghouls, you can become a member. If you would like to be notified of new posts, updates, and events, feel free to scroll to the bottom of this page and subscribe to receive e-mails. I have some ideas in store for Halloween season.

In this character analysis, I will be focusing on Elijah (Smoke). I thought about doing one analysis post for both twins, but felt it was unfair because they are very clearly their own people. Michael B. Jordan does a wonderful job portraying both characters in a way that the viewer can separate them and view them as two entirely different characters (despite the fact that only one person is portraying them). Later in the film, they are further separated, making their personalities even more interesting when that scene happens (if you know, you know).

As always, this post will be full of spoilers. Sinners is a film that I recommend watching at least 3 times to be able to grasp its concept. It is so much more than a horror film, and I cannot express enough that there are many layers to it. While this film is fiction, it includes real depictions of various things that have happened to people of color in US history.

I feel the need to include the soundtrack for this film to listen along to as you read (only if you'd like to of course).

For those who have not seen the film and want to avoid spoilers, I recommend clicking off now and watching the film a few times before coming back to read this analysis.

For those who have seen the film and are ready to continue reading, let’s get started…

"Nah, we cousins." -Stack

The twins are introduced, dressed well and awaiting someone who can sell them an old sawmill. The viewer later finds out that it is going to be transformed into a juke club for people of color to let loose and feel free for a night without the worries of their oppressors. The twins had acquired enough money to purchase the sawmill and its surrounding land. In the analysis I wrote on Sammy, I felt that the Twins represented greed. Their money was made through dishonest means while they were away in Chicago and their return struck me as odd if they had been doing so well. Were they running away from something? The mob perhaps?

From the beginning of this film, the viewer can spot the differences between the two brothers, but as mentioned, I will be focusing solely on Smoke. He is at the forefront of scenes that include his brother, whether physically like in the above photos or through subtle means like the lighting at Club Juke, where the viewer can see Smoke while Stack is decentered and not as well lit. Smoke’s personality showcases his more dominant nature in comparison to Stack’s. He’s often seen as serious, incapable of joking in a lighthearted nature, and always offers advice to protect everyone around him. Smoke also is a much more serious and strict person especially when it comes to money. He’s always calling the shots and is expectant of people to jump when he says so, unafraid of threatening someone when needed. It could be because of his military background and his life experience stemming from childhood. Smoke is a character, immune to the distractions of life, always on-guard, always watching, always plotting. Once Club Juke was up and running, he hadn’t allowed himself to enjoy the fruits of his labor, and when issues arose, the twins were sought after, even though it was Smoke who ultimately called the shots.

"This fool doesn't know how to watch his own back." -Smoke

The next scene where Smoke’s personality shines is when he, Stack, and Sammy go to retrieve the truck, carrying supplies needed for Club Juke. When the threat of a snake looms near, Smoke is at the ready, ultimately being the one to take on the danger as Stack and Sammy steer clear. Proceeding this scene, the trio realize that they won’t have enough time to prepare Club Juke in time if they all work together. The ultimate decision is for them to split up; Smoke handles business on his own while he sends Sammy with Stack, warning him to watch out for anyone who seems to be staring too hard. He follows up with informing Sammy on Stack’s inability to watch his own back.

That line immediately struck me as important, especially because Smoke came off as the more serious twin, while Stack seemed like he was more laid back. Smoke constantly kept his head on a swivel (as one can see throughout the events of the film). His character is smart, calculated, and seemingly inquisitive of every situation that he is put into.

Once the trio parts ways, Smoke opts to visit his old friends and shopkeepers, Bo and Grace. He had chosen to take the truck full of supplies, meaning that he would have to figure out how to conduct business while also keeping an eye on the truck. He pays a girl to watch the truck and beep the horn if any thieves happen to stumble by. While propositioning her to take on this task, he teaches her a lesson in “talking numbers” when she accepts whatever he wants to pay her, letting her know that when money is the subject of discussion, she should be aiming higher. This advice is seen at multiple points throughout the film, notably the scene where Grace and him are bargaining for how much he should pay for her to make a sign and the scene where Stack is trying to recruit Slim to play at Club Juke that night.

"Can't have some fool talking about how he almost robbed the twins." -Smoke

The viewer gets a glimpse into the influence of the Twins when they previously resided in Mississippi. The girl that Smoke had been talking to about watching the truck seemed visually scared to be in the presence of Smoke, but when he realizes which people were trying to steal from his truck, it doesn’t matter that they seemed to be on good terms in the past. Smoke does not hesitate to wound them in order to keep up appearances. When their name is spoken, people seem to shudder at the thought of coming face-to-face with them.

Everything carries on as usual when Smoke speaks to Bo and Grace about helping with preparations for Club Juke’s opening night. People that had witnessed the commotion that took place hadn’t even seemed o react, either making this a normal occurrence, or they just happen to know to steer clear when the Twins are around. Grace had even commented on the scene when she had come across the aftermath. When she sees Smoke, it is disregarded almost immediately as they start talking business.

"Why you here, Smoke?" -Annie

Smoke's next stop is a visit to Annie. It is revealed that he had had a son with a woman named Annie. The two compliment each other well as they are both unafraid of the other and they clearly love each other despite the fact that it has been a long time since they have seen one another. Annie is a woman with a strong intuition and has abilities and knowledge that allow her to come to the aid of those in need. We learn that she has used her power to protect Smoke throughout his travels by gifting him a mojo bag to wear. Throughout his time in the military, his connections and work with the mob in Chicago, and his “adventures” that helped gain him wealth, Smoke (and, by extension, Stack) had been protected by Annie’s protection spells. As long as he continues to wear the bag, he is rendered seemingly invincible.

Smoke depends on Annie for her abilities, even asking her why she was unable to save their baby. Unfortunately, we don’t get much about what happened to their baby besides its unfortunate death, but his line “So why those roots ain’t work on our baby?” is enough to shake anyone to their core. He is perceived as tough throughout the course of the film, though when it comes to Annie (and his baby), the viewer can see Smoke at his core. He too needs someone to depend on for security and protection.

Their relationship seems strained when we first meet Annie as she rejects Smoke’s money and how he came to acquire it. But, by the end of their scene, the viewer can see that they still have love for one another despite Annie’s feelings towards Smoke’s lifestyle. Smoke has love for her too even if he doesn’t want to explicitly admit it. He initially arrives, giving her money and when she asks why he's back, he can't meet her gaze and proceeds to tell her that he wants her to help with the operations of Club Juke. Annie knows that's not all. His facial expressions, body language, and actions show that he wants to do whatever he can to be there for her and help her and she ultimately has him admit that he still loves her.

Club Juke is up and running. Smoke delegates roles to each of his friends, though is ultimately still the one who is called upon when anything goes awry. When patrons try to pay in any other currency than USD, he disagrees with Annie and Stack about “taking care of” anyone who wants to spend the night worry-free. Cash that’s able to be spent and can help the Twins keep the wealth that they’ve become used to is what he’s looking for and he isn’t afraid to let anyone know this. When Cornbread needs assistance with whether or not he should allow Remmick, Burt, and Joan to enter Club Juke. Smoke’s concern is valid since people of color were forced to constantly look over their shoulders. He didn’t want any problems to arise by letting three white people into his club, no matter how “nice” and convincing they seemed to be about wanting to have a good time and enjoy the night.

His thinking is calculated as he explains his reasoning for not allowing them to join. A simple glance towards Joan could cause punishment for everyone taking part in the night’s festivities. While everyone is dancing, someone could accidentally step onto any of the three’s shoes and upset them enough to tell the KKK, resulting in punishment. One person that Smoke told Stack to worry about and send away was Mary, and because of her attendance and involvement in business that had nothing to do with her, she causes the nightmare that befalls the patrons of Club Juke.

Smoke calls upon Annie and her abilities following the events that led to his brother’s death. Seemingly the one time he takes his eyes off of his brother, Stack is “killed”. With her quick wit, Annie is the first to take action and everyone opts to heed her warnings. Smoke has full faith in Annie and listens to her throughout the course of the night (even when it comes to her very real death that was ultimately caused by his hand). The viewer can see the panic in him as he tries to make sense of a situation that he isn't accustomed to. His otherwise usual cool, calm, and collected demeaner is stripped away as reality sinks in. His brother was attacked by something otherworldly and he and his friends will soon face the same fate.

Smoke was born a fighter and a protector due to the harsh reality of his life. The viewer learns about the pieces of his life throughout the film and can see him in action during the vampires’ infiltration of Club Juke and his final battle with members of the KKK. Stack’s death is made more emotional when Smoke apologizes for not being able to protect him that night. Smoke had protected Stack from their father, had most likely protected him during their time in the war, and also had to have protected him during their adventures in Chicago. He has Sammy keep an eye on Stack when the trio splits at the beginning of the film, and also commands Sammy to get Stack when a fight erupts in Club Juke. His line about Stack not being able to watch his own back coupled with his trust in Sammy to keep an eye on him foreshadows Stack’s death.

His faith falls further apart when Annie is attacked and he is forced into killing her so that her soul can be freed from the curse that is vampirism. The two most important people in his life along with all of the friends that he and Stack recruited for the opening were ultimately murdered. Sammy, an important family member and the object of obsession for Remmick, was his last chance to somewhat redeem himself for the events of that night. He aids Sammy in an attack against Remmick, causing the vampire’s death along with all those who were changed by him (besides Stack and Mary). Sammy is able to return home and live until old age, living out his dreams of being a blues musician and the viewer later finds out that Smoke had made Stack promise to leave Sammy alone. So even in his near-death predicament (he was protected), he still felt the obligation to protect someone under his watch.

The next day, Smoke is getting ready for the visit by the KKK (Remmick had warned that they would be coming by to murder everyone at Club Juke). Due to his background in the military, he is able to prepare for their arrival. Smoke’s mojo bag is removed as he accepts that this will be his last day alive. There’s no one left for him to protect, but he gives his all during this battle and manages to take out every member that had arrived. A shot that he receives turns out to be fatal and while this can be sad for the viewer, it is a somewhat happy ending because he is able to rejoin Annie and their baby in what could be viewed as Heaven.

The ending to Stack’s story is a bit confusing for me because of the film’s title; Sinners. In a previous post, I had mentioned that Stack and Smoke (for me) represented “greed”. Smoke and Stack were also people who didn’t live the most honest lives (according to snippets of their stories and how people acted around them). Wouldn’t this have meant that Smoke would have ended up in Hell? Or did he somehow manage to redeem himself by the end of the film? Could it have been due to his successful attempt at protecting and keeping Sammy alive? Sammy has a power that is seen as special (especially to Remmick). Did the ancestors continue to keep Smoke “safe” due to this so that he could reunite with Annie and their baby?

What’re your thoughts?

This brings me to the end of Smoke's analysis. What're your thoughts on him as a character? Do you agree or disagree with any aspects of my analysis?

If you've made it this far, thank you so much for reading. I hope you enjoyed and I appreciate the support in allowing me to share my thoughts with my current obsession.

Don't forget to become a member so that you can join in on the conversation and connect with other ghouls! You can also scroll down to subscribe to the blog so that you can receive e-mails on new posts, updates, and events!

Have a wonderful weekend and see you in the next post!

🔪Versa