Hailee Steinfeld Stuns in Sinners, Surprising Even Josh Allen and Signaling a Bold New Career Phase
Hailee Steinfeld delivers a standout performance in the 2025 horror film Sinners, directed by Ryan Coogler. The film features an impressive cast including Michael B. Jordan, Jack O’Connell, Wunmi Mosaku, Li Jun Li, and breakout actor Miles Caton. Critics have widely praised Sinners for its emotional depth and strong performances, with Screen Rant rating it 9/10. Among the ensemble, Steinfeld’s portrayal of Mary has drawn particular acclaim—so much so that even NFL star Josh Allen publicly expressed his surprise and admiration for her performance, calling it “unexpected and incredible.”
In the film, Steinfeld plays Mary, a woman who returns to Mississippi after her mother’s death and is eventually turned into a vampire. Her character’s survival to the end of the film is a rare twist for the genre and gives Steinfeld room to shine. Known previously for roles in True Grit, The Edge of Seventeen, and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Sinners may now represent her strongest work to date.
What makes the role especially notable is its mature, intense tone—quite different from the youthful characters Steinfeld has typically portrayed. As Mary, she is complex, aggressive, and unafraid to use her sexuality and power. This unexpected shift in her screen presence seems to have resonated with audiences and critics alike.
Though her dramatic performance may have caught some off guard, Steinfeld has long demonstrated her talent. She earned an Oscar nomination at age 14 for True Grit and continued to shine in The Edge of Seventeen and the Apple TV+ series Dickinson. However, Sinners may be the moment that redefines her public image and opens new doors.
Despite her success in blockbuster franchises like Transformers, the MCU, and Spider-Verse, Steinfeld hasn’t had many roles that allowed for such dramatic depth. The success of Sinners could be the turning point that shifts the industry’s perception of her abilities.
Currently, her only confirmed upcoming projects are Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse (2027) and her return as Kate Bishop in the MCU. A sequel to Sinners remains unconfirmed, though its ending hints at the possibility. Director Ryan Coogler has said he hasn’t thought seriously about a follow-up yet.
If the response from fans—and even celebrities like Josh Allen—is any indication, Sinners is likely to be a career-defining film for Steinfeld. It may very well mark the beginning of a new era, one where she takes on more adult, challenging roles that fully showcase her dramatic range.
