Movie Review: Judas and the Black Messiah

By Andrew Ayala

This Black history month, HBO Max released its powerful and moving feature film titled “Judas and the Black Messiah.” Directed by Shaka King, the movie is a historical drama based on the lives of Fred Hampton, played by Daniel Kaluuya, and William O’Neal, played by Lakeith Stanfield. Hampton was the radical Black Panther Party leader for the Illinois chapter and O’Neal was a car thief who found himself stuck in the middle of betrayal and survival.

Inspired by true events, the film follows O’Neal during a period of his life where he had to make some life-altering decisions. O’Neal first is depicted using a fake FBI badge to commit car robberies. After a failed attempt, he gets caught and bribed into becoming a mole for the government. With no clear motive other than survival, he agrees to work with FBI agent Roy Mitchell, played by Jesse Plemons, and begins their infiltration on the Chicago chapter of the Black Panther Party.

The film shows that when a group of oppressed people come together, they can create a movement that literally shocks the nation. On the other hand, viewers are able to see what was going on behind the scenes with both the government and Black Panther Party.

In this social climate especially, there is a necessity for movies like this to come out because they teach us pieces of history that we never learned growing up. This was a film that did more than tell a story. It proved that these tales are so powerful and important that today we should shed light on them. It was great to see a Black director succeed in getting multiple messages that dealt with racial struggles across a multiracial audience. The film is written in a way that allows viewers to get a glimpse of the harsh realities that Black people in America faced and still face today.

Movies like this show our nation the other side of the story that isn’t told in modern history books. There are two sides to every story and King manages to establish his side in an unbiased and interesting manner with multiple heartwarming and gut-wrenching pieces. More films like this need to be released because there isn’t enough minority representation in society today. This is an example of a group of people telling a story their way and without the rules and regulations that Hollywood usually tries to impose.

Both Stanfield and Kaluuya play amazing roles that compliment one another throughout the film. Stanfield’s character is very uneasy and almost always nervous. O’Neals jittery mind and second guessing can be perceived by viewers through Stanfield’s facial expressions and body language. Kaluuya’s character is a very outspoken and strong-minded individual.

Their performances alone can carry the film. Hampton is portrayed as an outspoken and intelligent man while O’Neal is seen as a yes-man who can barely think for himself. From the scenes where he gives passionate speeches to the scenes where he is enthralled by his love interest Deborah Johnson, played by Dominique Fishback, Kaluuya presents a very moving and emotional performance. The other characters add some flavor to the film as well because they play such an important role in showing how racial tensions caused some people to initiate a fight or flight in response.

The cinematics are shot perfectly and give the audience a more in-depth view of what the setting is like. The close-up shots really convey the emotion due to the strong facial expressions that each actor brings to the table. The musical score is decent and does not add or remove anything from the movie. The costumes and settings were proper and some scenes felt as though the audience was actually watching a documentary.

Overall “Judas and the Black Messiah” is a great watch. Although there is dramatization and exaggeration, the film never feels diluted or dull and stays consistent with the true events that are depicted. Many aspects of this film including its powerful messages of change and influence make it a must-see. “Judas and the Black Messiah” released on Friday and can be streamed on HBO Max or seen in theaters. The film is rated R for violence and persuasive language.