Judas and the Black Messiah (2021) Review

 

Judas and the Black Messiah (2021)

Judas and the Black Messiah focuses on the infiltration of the Black Panthers and assassination of prominent Black Activist and Revolutionary Socialist, Fred Hampton in Chicago 1969.

Coming just several months after the protests all over America over the death of George Floyd and many others, this is a film that touches on issues from over 50 years ago, that are still very current today. It doesn’t go out of it’s way to make you think a certain way or pander, it speaks it into actions. The story of Bill O’Neal is put on display and shows that in some way, he shares allegiances with both the FBI as an informant, as well as as a dedicated member of the Black Panther Party. Bill’s story is tricky too because what the film doesn’t really touch upon is how he was a teenager, forced into joining the BPP by the FBI. We see him change throughout the course, first viewing it as a job that pays well, but as time progresses, his views align with that of Fred Hampton and the Black Panthers. Fred’s story is interesting too, taking the course of many before him and being an individual who does have some violent rhetoric, but he helps his people and changes morally in some ways before his murder by the police.

The film stars Jesse Plemons, Daniel Kaluuya, and LaKeith Stanfield, who is quickly becoming one of my favorite up and coming talents. Stanfield plays the innocence of a teenager caught between two battles so well, visually maturing throughout the film. Kaluuya’s portrayal of Hampton was also fantastic, as he stole every scene with poetic fury.

Judas and the Black Messiah is quite literally a tale of a revered, godly figure who gets sold out by a man he trusted, twice over actually. It’s something that feels so poignant and while you question the motives of O’Neal, there’s a place of understanding for him and all the others wanting to avoid jail or even the possibility of ending up like one of their own, dead in the street at the hands of the police. It’s a resonating piece that is fascinating in it’s historical truth and it’s parallels to the Bible & to other famous Civil Rights Leaders and the fates they all shared.

8.8/10