Judas and the Black Messiah (2021)
Directed by Shaka King
[Rated R] 2hr 6min
★★★★
Judas and the Black Messiah is a historical crime drama based on a real story about the FBI’s infiltration of the Black Panther Party in the late 1960s. It follows Bill O’Neil as he works with an FBI special agent in order to avoid going to prison for his street crimes. Under orders from the FBI, O’Neil is tasked with spying on the Black Panther’s activities, especially those of Fred Hampton, the popular leader of the Illinois chapter. After joining the party, O’Neil is financially rewarded for any information he provides to the FBI, which they use in their attempts to silence Hampton and dismantle the organization.
This is a heavy film that puts the brutality and hypocrisy of US law enforcement on full display. By contrasting the improvements that the Black Panthers make in their community with the violent tactics that the police and FBI use to provoke them, the movie clearly and effectively demonstrates the lengths that law enforcement is willing to go to in order to maintain their power over minorities and disenfranchised members of society. The acting makes this conflict incredibly compelling, as both Daniel Kaluuya and LaKeith Stanfield are outstanding as the two leads. Kaluuya in particular fully brings Fred Hampton to life through his immensely powerful and moving performance. The striking cinematography also contributes to the narrative, as its precise framing both heightens the tension in the film and highlights the passion in the Black Panthers’ pursuit of bringing power back to the people.
I recommend this film to everyone because it explores a significant part of American history that is often ignored. Not only is this an important story, but the film also conveys it effectively through an engaging narrative with excellent performances, providing a powerful and unforgettable movie experience.
Judas and the Black Messiah is currently available to stream on Max and Paramount Plus. Click here to watch the Official Trailer.
– Review by Will Hopper