Directed by Ryan Coogler, “Sinners” made a sensational debut in 2025, captivating audiences with its riveting tale of racial tension interwoven with a vampire narrative set in 1930s Mississippi. Our review labeled it as “Coogler’s most ambitious movie yet.” With Michael B. Jordan leading a prestigious cast that included Hailee Steinfeld, another familiar face from the MCU, the film featured a contentious line delivered by Steinfeld’s character. This line has sparked discomfort, as fans uncomfortably echo it back to her during face-to-face meetings.

The line pertains to an explicit sexual act committed against her character, which understandably prompts awkwardness when fans repeat it, even in jest. Steinfeld addressed this matter in a conversation with Variety, acknowledging the discomfort. “There have been a couple moments … people like to bring up certain lines in the movie, especially that one,” she shared. “That’s always … yeah, awkward.” The situation is particularly tricky for Steinfeld, given the industry’s ongoing battle for women to secure respect and equitable treatment. She tactfully balanced her critique of the fans, recognizing the swift progression from admiration to awkwardness.

“I respect and appreciate [fans], but I know what the line is,” Steinfeld remarked. “You don’t have to tell me. Especially when someone nearby isn’t in the know, it can get weird fast.” Nonetheless, that infamous line wasn’t the sole unsettling aspect for Steinfeld when it came to “Sinners.”

Despite the controversy surrounding “Sinners,” Steinfeld had partly anticipated the issues. “When I read a script, there’s always a scene or two that you dog-ear or red-circle,” she told Variety. Her reservations extended beyond the raw dialogue and overt sexual elements. She feared that an early shoot of the scene could hinder her chemistry with co-star Michael B. Jordan, as she hadn’t established a rapport yet. Unfortunately, circumstances didn’t align with her wishes. “Sure enough, we shot it first,” Steinfeld recounted, citing weather-induced schedule changes as the cause.

“We were filming in New Orleans during hurricane season, so everything got moved around,” she explained. As a result, the pivotal scene, initially slated for a later shoot, became their first task. “It was the first thing Michael [B. Jordan] and I shot together.” Surprisingly, shooting early didn’t detract from the scene’s effectiveness. “By then, our characters had lived some of the memories we refer to in the film. It was almost like we did it in reverse, but in a great way.”

Despite the scene’s success, Steinfeld didn’t anticipate its eventual impact. “I definitely didn’t expect that line — or any of Mary’s lines — to explode the way they did. But there it is.”