Reassessing History with JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH

Inspired by true events and a reexamination of a controversial figure, Judas and the Black Messiah is a passionate study of friendship and betrayal with strong performances and sharp direction (Shaka King).

In Chicago in 1968, a young, charismatic leader of the Black Panthers, Fred Hampton (Daniel Kaluuya) is galvanizing support from the people first with blacks and then expanding to other demographics with the promise of services like a medical center and education. His crusade to form a powerful, rainbow coalition to fight oppressive, racist white power captures the attention and wrath of FBI boss J. Edgar Hoover. In the meantime, an informant, Bill O’Neal (LaKeith Stanfield), is recruited by an FBI agent (Jesse Plemons) to infiltrate Hampton’s gang and help bring him down.  As O’Neal struggles with his conscience and fear of discovery and Hampton fights to keep his cause alive, the FBI and law enforcement are targeting the Panthers, and the violence and brutality leads to an ultimate confrontation that will alter their lives forever.

The film’s revisionist point of view shows police as subversive law breakers, conspiring to murder Panther members. A number of scenes may resonate with current news headlines, and in fact, there are DNA threads that call back to Spike Lee and John Singleton. 

The cast is uniformly strong especially Kaluuya whose dynamic personification of Hampton rings true especially during the inspiring rally scenes. Stanfield is equally effective as the guilt ridden ‘follower’ with a hidden agenda.

The film ends with a somber, sobering postscript that punctuates a vivid, hard hitting story that is sure to provoke a strong response. King has a talent that promises greater films to come; this film is a giant step.

***1/2 of **** stars (on demand)