A reduced graphene oxide (rGO) based film is sandwiched between a sulfur cathode and the separator, acting as a shuttle inhibitor to the sulfur and polysulfides. The lithium–sulfur cell with such a configuration shows an initial discharge capacity of 1260 mAh g−1 and the capacity remains at 895 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles. The excellent electrochemical performance of the cell is attributed to both the functional groups on the rGO sheets that anchor the sulfur and polysulfides and the carbon additive that helps to produce channels for the electrolyte and polysulfide to enter.