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