Last week, Max announced it would be the exclusive streaming home of Warner Bros. Pictures’ “Sinners.” On Monday, Max released new details on the release, highlighting Max as the first streamer to release a feature-length film in Black American Sign Language (BASL). “Sinners” will stream in BASL alongside the original version of the film in the U.S. beginning on July 4, 2025.
The release of “Sinners” with BASL is a major step forward in accessibility, representation, and visibility in streaming. BASL is a distinct dialect of American Sign Language (ASL) with its own dynamic history and unique grammar, signing space, rhythm, facial expressions, and cultural nuances. For the first time, the Black Deaf community will have streaming access to a more immersive experience in their language. Max subscribers, who sign in ASL but are unfamiliar with this dialect, will also be able to follow along with this interpretation.
“Sinners” with BASL is interpreted by Nakia Smith, an influential voice in the Black Deaf community, who delivers a powerful interpretation with cultural depth and linguistic richness that aligns with the film’s themes and historical timeline. Rosa Lee Timm, Director of Artistic Sign Language, is a renowned performance artist and uses her expertise in sign language performance and visual storytelling to ensure cultural authenticity. Timm has also directed ASL versions of Warner Bros. Pictures’ “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” and “A Minecraft Movie,” exclusively available to stream on Max.
Max continues to set new standards in inclusive storytelling. By amplifying Black Deaf voices and honoring the culture, identity, and history at the heart of this powerful film, Max’s ongoing commitment to accessibility builds off a growing ASL program that includes accessible versions of HBO Original programming such as “The Last of Us” and Warner Bros. Pictures’ films like “Barbie” and “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.”
“Accessibility within streaming is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Our goal at Max is to make these great stories accessible to all audiences in a way that is authentic to the content and the communities we serve,” said Naomi Waibel, SVP of Global Product Management at Warner Bros. Discovery. “’Sinners’ with Black American Sign Language is an example of how culturally nuanced access can enrich the viewing experience for our audiences.”
“With ASL” titles, including “Sinners,” will be displayed on the Max app and indicated with key art featuring the sign language symbol.
Written and directed by Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Ryan Coogler (“Black Panther”), “Sinners” follows twin brothers, played in a dual role by Michael B. Jordan (“Creed”), as they try to leave their troubled lives behind by returning home to start again, only to discover that an even greater evil is waiting to welcome them back.
