Ryan Coogler has won the best original screenplay Oscar for Sinners at the 98th Academy Awards, becoming only the second black writer to receive the award after Jordan Peele, who won in 2018 for Get Out.
Coogler, who also directed the film, overcame strong competition from nominees including Ronald Bronstein and Josh Safdie for Marty Supreme, Eskil Vogt and Joachim Trier for Sentimental Value, and Robert Kaplow for Blue Moon. Sinners stars Michael B Jordan as twins “Smoke” and “Stack” Moore, whose juke joint is besieged by vampires led by Jack O’Connell. Jordan later won the best actor Oscar for his performance.
Coogler has been a prominent figure in this year’s script awards, having previously won best original screenplay at the Baftas, Writers Guild, and Critics Choice awards, as well as earning a Golden Globe nomination.
In his acceptance speech, Coogler thanked the Academy, his fellow nominees, and his cast and crew, whom he asked to stand. He paid tribute to his wife and producer, Zinzi, saying she made every day better than the last, and to his parents, thanking them for making him believe in himself. He concluded by addressing his children, apologising for time spent away and expressing his love.
