As Sinners makes its way to the big show, its place among the other 2026 Oscar nominees only further cements its historical relevance. Setting the record for the Academy Award nominations ever, its cultural impact helped lead the way to such an occasion. But for actors like Jack O’Connell, the meme-worthy “Rocky Road to Dublin” scene wasn’t just a breathtaking moment of cinematic achievement – it was a bittersweet reminder of family.
Jack O’Connell’s Sinners Musical Finale Has Emotional Ties
Speaking recently with film critic Mark Kermode, the performer who helped bring the antagonist Remmick to life touched upon a vital thread in his life. Included in the most recent episode of the Kermode on Film podcast, part of O’Connell’s anecdote broadens the context to the Sinners scene’s finale:
And at the end of the sequence, I’m looking up, and I’m looking at a star; because I sort of latch on these meanings … [I was] sort of looking at the star, and that to me was my dad.
When watching “Rocky Road to Dublin,” there’s a moment where Jack O’Connell tears up towards the end. In the context of writer/director Ryan Coogler’s film, this makes total sense, as Remmick is with his people.
The moment is as close to connecting with his ancestors as he’ll ever get without the veil-piercing talents of Sammy (Miles Caton). But just as Sinners’ head vampire in charge was getting in touch with his ancestry, Mr. O’Connell was doing the same in a much more heartwarming fashion.
Sinners’ Choice Of Shooting Date Had A Hand As Well
Throughout this portion of the interview, the 28 Years Later trilogy actor provided some extra insight into one of Sinners’ best moments. Further expanding on his father’s metaphorical hand in shaping that scene, Jack O’Connell provided the following:
Me dad’s from Kerry, in Ireland. So he sent me along to Irish dance lessons, as a whippersnapper. … My dad passed away 14 years ago, and it was on the night of his birthday we shot that sequence. So it was, it was transcendental. It was very deeply, deeply sentimental to me.
Sometimes our parents put us into hobbies by force, be it piano or dance lessons. They may seem annoying at first, but eventually there are bound to be memories like this that make it all worthwhile. Jack O’Connell’s Sinners dance will never be the same, and we can all watch it with fresh eyes. Luckily, all you’ll need is either an HBO Max subscription, or access to Prime Video, in addition to various rental/purchase options. Meanwhile, the 98th Academy Awards will air on ABC, Sunday, March 15th at 7 PM ET/4 PM PT.
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