Twin brothers nicknamed “Smoke” (a pragmatist) and “Stack” (perhaps more hedonistic) return to their Mississippi delta hometown well-off after working in 1932 Chicago as leg-breakers for Capone. They buy a barn and proceed to realize their dream of opening a juke joint.

The director is Ryan Coogler (an emerging auteur who gave us the Black Panther and Creed movies), Michael B. Jordan gets to stretch his thespian talents by playing both brothers, and the talented cast includes Delroy Lindo, Wunmi Mosaku and Hailee Steinfeld. The cinematography is breathtaking and the attention to period detail flawless.

After an engaging hour-long setup, you’ll likely be settling in for what looks like a quality period piece with some fine, toe-tapping music, great acting and the promise of a boisterous time at the movies.

Then the vampires show up.

Wait, what? Ambitious would be too weak a word for what Coogler’s doing here, more genre-blending and reinventing than mere genre-hopping. And it all works. Stunningly. The drama, the horror, the music, the steamy sex, the maniacal momentum.Watch for one sweeping, hypnotic take that even throws in a bit of time travel. It’s quite unlike anything I’ve ever seen. It’s one of those movies that will stay with you, and a major best-picture Oscar contender.

Big, screen, please. Biggest you can find. And stay for the end credits; all the way through. (137 min)