The 2025 supernatural horror film Sinners, directed by Ryan Coogler and starring Michael B. Jordan in dual roles, has captivated audiences with its haunting blend of period drama, horror, and Southern Gothic atmosphere. Set in 1932 in the Mississippi Delta, the film stars Michael B. Jordan in dual roles as criminal twin brothers who return to their hometown where they are confronted by a supernatural evil.
Please note: This article contains minor spoilers about the film’s setting and general plot elements, though we avoid major story reveals.
But while the story takes place in Mississippi, the film’s striking visual world was actually brought to life in Louisiana. Whether you’re a film enthusiast, location scout, or producer seeking inspiration for your next project, exploring Sinners‘ filming locations reveals how the right setting can transform a story from script to screen.
Louisiana Doubles for 1930s Mississippi Delta
The film was shot in various locations across Louisiana, including New Orleans, Donaldsonville, Labadieville, and Bogalusa. This choice wasn’t just practical – Louisiana’s rich architectural heritage, diverse landscapes, and film-friendly infrastructure made it the perfect stand-in for Depression-era Mississippi.
New Orleans: Urban Atmosphere and Period Architecture
New Orleans provided the production with authentic 1930s-era buildings and streetscapes that required minimal set decoration to transport audiences back in time. The city’s French Quarter and surrounding neighborhoods offered:
- Historic churches and religious buildings with Gothic Revival and Creole architecture
- Period-appropriate commercial districts that could represent small-town Mississippi
- Residential areas with authentic early 20th-century homes
- Established film infrastructure including experienced local crews and equipment rental houses
Donaldsonville: Small-Town Southern Charm
Donaldsonville served as one of the key filming locations, providing the authentic small-town Southern atmosphere essential to the story. This historic Louisiana town offered:
- Preserved downtown architecture from the early 1900s
- Rural roads and landscapes that captured the isolation of the Mississippi Delta
- Local color and authentic details that enhanced the film’s period authenticity
Additional Louisiana Locations
The production also utilized Braithwaite, Thibodaux and St Bernard Parish to create the film’s comprehensive vision of 1930s rural America. Each location contributed specific elements:
- Labadieville: Provided rural farmland and period buildings for exterior scenes
- Bogalusa: Offered industrial and working-class neighborhoods that reflected the economic realities of the Depression era
- St. Bernard Parish: Contributed waterfront and marsh locations that enhanced the film’s atmospheric mood
The Visual Impact of Louisiana’s Landscapes
Filmed in epic-scaled 65mm IMAX, Sinners takes us to the Mississippi town of Clarksdale in 1932. The choice to shoot in Louisiana allowed Coogler and his team to capture authentic Southern Gothic atmosphere while benefiting from the state’s generous film incentives and experienced crews.
The Louisiana locations provided:
Natural Lighting and Weather
Louisiana’s climate and natural lighting conditions helped create the film’s moody, atmospheric cinematography without extensive artificial lighting setups.
Authentic Architecture
The state’s preserved historical buildings meant less money spent on set construction and more authentic period details in every frame.
Cultural Authenticity
Louisiana’s deep musical and cultural heritage aligned perfectly with the film’s blues-influenced soundtrack and themes.
What Made These Locations Work for Sinners
The success of Sinners‘ Louisiana locations demonstrates several key principles for effective location scouting:
Period Authenticity Over Geographic Accuracy
Rather than insisting on filming in Mississippi, the production team prioritized finding locations that authentically represented the 1930s era, regardless of state boundaries.
Infrastructure Considerations
Louisiana’s established film industry infrastructure allowed the production to focus on creativity rather than logistics.
Atmospheric Consistency
Each chosen location contributed to the overall mood and tone of the film, creating a cohesive visual world despite spanning multiple cities and parishes.
Budget Efficiency
Using Louisiana’s film incentives and local resources allowed more budget to be allocated to other production elements like the film’s impressive cast and technical crew.
Finding Similar Atmospheric Locations
If you’re inspired by Sinners‘ evocative use of Southern locations, here are the types of spaces that can create similar cinematic impact:
Historic Churches and Religious Buildings
Look for Gothic Revival, Romanesque, or early 20th-century churches with:
- High ceilings and dramatic lighting
- Stained glass windows
- Original wooden pews and architectural details
- Atmospheric acoustics
Check out these church locations for your Sinners-inspired project:
Congregational Church Of Pasadena
Historical gothic revival church built in the 1920’s. Five stories. 2,000 people capactity sanctuary and large hall with a stage.
Step back in time at St. Frances, a preserved 1845 chapel and outdoor setting steeped in Southern history and rural charm. Ideal for film, television, music videos, photo shoots, and content creation, the property offers a visually stunning and flexible backdrop with both sacred and rustic elements.
Charming quaint chapel in a rural country setting nestled on a hill with a surrounding pond. A super similar chapel to the one in Sinners.
Period-Appropriate Small Towns
Seek out communities with preserved downtown areas featuring:
- Early 1900s commercial architecture
- Wide main streets with period storefronts
- Residential neighborhoods with authentic period homes
- Minimal modern intrusions
Rural and Agricultural Settings
Consider locations offering:
- Vast open landscapes that convey isolation
- Period farm buildings and structures
- Dirt roads and natural pathways
- Authentic rural atmosphere
The Louisiana Advantage for Filmmakers
Sinners joins a long list of successful productions that have utilized Louisiana as a filming destination. The state offers:
- Generous Tax Incentives: Louisiana provides some of the most competitive film tax credits in the United States
- Experienced Crews: Years of film production have created a deep pool of skilled local technicians
- Diverse Locations: From urban New Orleans to rural parishes, Louisiana offers incredible location variety within a compact geographic area
- Cultural Richness: The state’s unique history and culture provide authentic details that enhance period productions
Bringing Your Vision to Life
Sinners demonstrates how the right locations can elevate a film from good to exceptional. The Louisiana settings didn’t just provide backdrops – they became integral characters in the story, contributing to mood, atmosphere, and narrative authenticity.
For filmmakers, producers, and location scouts seeking to create similar atmospheric impact, the key lessons from Sinners are clear: prioritize authenticity over convenience, consider the full production ecosystem when choosing locations, and remember that the right setting can transform your entire project. (Check out the article: Filming on Location or in a Studio? A Film Location Guide for Budget-Friendly Productions)
Whether you’re developing a period drama, supernatural thriller, or character-driven narrative, exploring unique filming locations like those used in Sinners can provide the inspiration and practical foundation your project needs to succeed.
Ready to find your perfect filming location? Set Scouter connects filmmakers with unique, film-ready properties across North America. From historic churches to atmospheric small towns, discover the location that will bring your vision to life.