Podcast Summary:

All Of It with Alison Stewart
Episode: Delroy Lindo and Miles Caton on Fighting Vampires in 'Sinners'
Airdate: January 15, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode of "All Of It," host Alison Stewart sits down with legendary actor Delroy Lindo and breakout star Miles Caton, two of the leads in the critically acclaimed and commercially successful film Sinners. The conversation delves deep into the movie’s themes—community, culture, music, ancestry, evil (embodied by vampires), and what all of that means for Black communities in America. Through rich dialogue, the guests discuss their relationships onscreen and off, the creative process of working with director Ryan Coogler, the transformative power of music (particularly the blues), and the collaborative spirit that made the project special.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Scope and Success of Sinners

• The film grossed nearly $368 million worldwide and has become a cultural force, resonating for its layered storytelling and social commentary.
• Set in Clarksdale, Mississippi, the movie blends supernatural horror (vampires) with nuanced explorations of music, history, race, and family.
  (00:08)

Initial Reactions to the Script

• Delroy Lindo:
  Recognized the film’s “brilliance” in using the horror/vampire genre as a vehicle for a much bigger story about culture, history, and community.
  Quote: “Ryan was using the horror or the vampire genre to tell a much, much, much larger story. And I connected with that almost immediately.” (02:11)

Casting Process & Musical Roots

• Miles Caton describes his unique, music-first audition, which involved him singing Sam Cooke’s “Bring It All Home to Me” (03:38).
• Coming from a musical background, Caton was able to bridge the gap between musician and actor, leaning on his roots throughout production.
  Quote: “The music was definitely a kind of like a life raft for me… I had music to kind of carry me through that.” (10:02)

Working With Director Ryan Coogler

• Delroy Lindo highlights Coogler’s “generosity of spirit” and the atmosphere of trust he fostered—key for creative risk-taking and collaboration.
• Trust, as Delroy defines it, allows an actor to relax, contribute ideas, and take artistic chances.
  Quotes:
  • “It establishes a trust almost immediately. When there is trust, one can relax…” (04:00)
  • “I trusted unequivocally that whenever I communicated with Miles in the work, he would be open to receive what I was communicating.” (08:18)

The Dynamic Between Veteran and Newcomer

• Miles Caton (on learning from Delroy): He absorbed more from watching Delroy’s process than from direct advice, especially during emotional scenes where Delroy’s performance brought the blues’ pain to life.
  Quote: “The choices that Delroy made acting in that scene made it so clear, and I could feel it in my core.” (06:30)
• Delroy Lindo (on working with Miles): Praises Caton’s openness and lack of artifice, drawing a comparison with the late Aaliyah. Delroy felt a responsibility to match that presence on set.
  Quote: “He was present. And I think that we see that in his work in the film.” (08:18)

The Meaning of Vampires in Sinners

• Vampires are a metaphor for predatory outside forces—evil entities trying to infiltrate, possess, and destroy Black communities from within.
  Quote (Delroy): “The vampires represent any evil force, any outside force that would come into a community… and literally try to possess that community.” (11:46)

Development of Character and Place

• The film takes its time (first 48 minutes) establishing characters’ daily lives and Mississippi setting, making the supernatural turn more impactful and rooting the horror in grounded realities.
• Miles Caton: Emphasizes the importance of understanding characters' backstories to create empathy and context for their choices. Quote: “Without that backstory, you wouldn’t really understand it.” (13:47)

Delta Slim: Reputation and Complexity

• Delta Slim is a revered but tragic figure, considered both a musical legend and a man seen by some as “just a drunk.” Delroy discusses the complexity and depth beneath the surface.
  Quote: “Even though I am self medicating, which also is very, very contemporary…” (14:28)

Trust, Improvisation, and Collaboration with Ryan Coogler

• Delroy recounts a scene where Coogler convinced him to remain seated—a choice that ultimately enhanced the sense of Delta Slim's authority (“your throne”) (16:30).
• Throughout, open communication with Coogler led to creative breakthroughs.

The Car Monologue Scene (Key Moment)

• Delroy’s lengthy, emotional monologue required intense memorization and collaboration in rehearsal.
  • Delroy: “I had to start with committing the words to memory...it really starts to unfold and evolve when one is actually in the context of working with my colleagues...” (20:44)
• Miles Caton describes Delroy’s improvisational transition from storytelling into song as the epitome of blues authenticity.
  • Quote: “That right there was the epitome of the blues. It was turning that pain and that hurt and that trauma into song…” (22:06)

The Blues: More Than Music

• Both actors immerse themselves in blues history and culture to inform their performances.
  • Delroy: “It’s not a music of victims…there’s an artistry that transforms those sentiments into storytelling, into song, into something that’s beautiful.” (24:44)
  • Miles: “I really leaned into the storytelling…there was such a heartfelt and heart wrenching, you know, take on what they were going through." (23:50)
• The tension between “the sanctified and the sinful” in blues culture is discussed—drawing parallels with contemporary artists like Prince.
  • Alison: “Oh, that is Prince all day long.” (26:06)
  • Delroy: “All day long.” (26:09)

Legacy, Ancestry, and Protection of Culture

• The notion of legacy—protecting the tradition of Black music and storytelling—is recurrent.
  • Delroy: “[Miles] represents the continuum, the continuing of that legacy, of that tradition. And that’s what needs to be protected in the film.” (27:19)

Music as Destiny and Freedom

• Miles Caton: Reflects on music being a lifelong, magnetic draw for him, not just a choice but a calling. (27:30)
• The song “Traveling” from the film is played, symbolizing Sammy’s joy and freedom when performing. (28:00)
• On the importance of the guitar:
  • Miles: “Everything. That’s like freedom, you know, for him.” (28:45)

Press Tour Takeaways & On-Screen Camaraderie

• Delroy Lindo shares how much he learns from his colleagues’ press tour reflections; the cast’s mutual respect is profound and rare.
  • Quote: “I love the depth of respect and love that we’ve all shared as a company of co workers. And it happens rarely, frankly. But we had it on Sinners.” (31:36)
• Both actors express gratitude for the unique experience of working together and urge viewers to watch Sinners in IMAX if possible to get the full cinematic effect. (32:50)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “[Ryan Coogler] was using the horror or the vampire genre to tell a much, much, much larger story. And I connected with that almost immediately.”
  — Delroy Lindo (02:11)

• “He was present. And I think that we see that in his work in the film. And it was functioning on a number of levels. His, this young actor, his first film. But as Sammy, he’s infusing all of those qualities into what he’s doing.”
  — Delroy Lindo on Miles Caton (08:18)

• “The vampires represent any evil force, any outside force that would come into a community, try to infiltrate that community, and figuratively and literally try to possess that community.”
  — Delroy Lindo (11:46)

• “It’s not a music of victims…there’s an artistry that transforms those sentiments into storytelling, into song, into something that’s beautiful.”
  — Delroy Lindo on the blues (24:44)

• “[Delroy’s improvisation] was the epitome of the blues. It was turning that pain and that hurt and that trauma into song and into something that people can relate to and that people can feel.”
  — Miles Caton (22:06)

• “I love my fellow, my colleagues and I’ve really appreciated and enjoyed learning more about them.”
  — Delroy Lindo (31:36)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:08 – Introduction to Sinners and guests
• 02:11 – Delroy’s reaction to the script’s scope and genre-mixing
• 03:38 – Miles Caton on his musical audition (“Bring It All Home to Me”)
• 04:00–05:19 – Delroy on Ryan Coogler’s collaborative energy and the trust it creates
• 06:30 – Miles: Observing and learning from Delroy’s craft on set
• 08:18 – Delroy: The privilege of working with an open, authentic newcomer
• 11:46 – Delroy explains the metaphor of vampires in the film
• 13:47 – Miles: The importance of character backstory and establishing setting
• 14:28–16:30 – Delroy on Delta Slim’s complexity and his “throne” as a musician
• 20:44–22:06 – The emotional car monologue and spontaneous transition into song
• 23:50–27:19 – Both actors on the blues, artistry, ancestry, and the continuum of Black music
• 28:00 – “Traveling” performance/clip; Miles on the significance of the guitar
• 31:36 – Delroy on profound camaraderie within the Sinners cast

Recap & Takeaways

This episode offers listeners a moving and insightful look behind Sinners, highlighting the deep connections among cast and crew, the intentional layering of Black musical and cultural history, and a rare glimpse at the process behind transformative performances. Delroy Lindo’s wisdom and Miles Caton’s earnest reflection make for a dynamic, resonant conversation about legacy, the craft of acting, and the power of collaboration—both on set and within the broader tapestry of cultural storytelling.

Recommended: Stream Sinners or see it on IMAX to experience the film’s rich sound and visual storytelling.