Judas and the Black Messiah (2020)
Director: Shaka King
Stars: Daniel Kaluuya, LaKeith Stanfield, Jesse Plemons
Runtime: 126 minutes
Synopsis: The story of Fred Hampton, Chairman of the Illinois Black Panther Party, and his fateful betrayal by FBI informant William O'Neal.
Verdict: Months
after they happened, the effects of the Black Lives Matter protests are still
being felt in Hollywood. Filmmakers are aware that now’s their chance to
educated the world about the injustices faced by the African-American community at the
hands of law enforcers for decades now, and I applaud them for seizing that
eye-opening opportunity. “Judas and the Black Messiah” is the latest addition
to a list that includes Aaron Sorkin’s “The Trial of the Chicago 7” or Steve
McQueen’s “Small Axe” anthology series, and I personally found it to be the
most rewarding experience out of them all.
The film follows the fascinating true story of Bill O’Neal, an informant tasked
with gaining the trust of revolutionary icon Fred Hampton who, back in the late
1960s and at the age of only 21, was seen as a dangerous threat by the Illinois
police force. A commentary on the despicable methods used to silence the voices
of Black activists during that time, the film relies on magnificent
performances by a fantastic cast that includes the likes of LaKeith Stanfield,
Daniel Kaluuya, and Jesse Plemons to build the relationships between the
characters, a vital factor within the context of the narrative. A narrative in
which the high stakes are enhanced by the tense atmosphere that surrounds them,
composed by an appropriate use of a great score and a welcomed subtlety in the
camerawork and dialogue.
Shaka King’s sophomore work is a force to be reckoned with and a feature
that will certainly gain a lot of buzz in the coming months. It ticks all the
boxes of a profound look at a broken system by choosing an interesting story to
tell and telling it well. I strongly recommend it.
FINAL GRADE: 8/10
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