REVIEW: A+ Performances Make Judas and the Black Messiah A Must Watch

Judas and the Black Messiah is a biopic on the life of Black Panther chairman, Fred Hampton (Daniel Kaluuya) and the days leading up to Hampton’s assassination in the 1960s. When lifelong petty criminal William O’Neal (LaKeith Stanfield) is offered a plea deal from the FBI to infiltrate the Illinois chapter of the Black Panthers he takes it. O’Neal is tasked with providing details on Hampton and the organization in exchange for a smaller sentence on his numerous charges.

Director Shaka King does not waste any time with pleasantries or unnecessary fluff in this drama. He dives right in to Hampton’s life and the change he was trying to achieve with the Black Panthers. King brings to life the young chairman, showcasing the eloquence that drew others to him and the strides he took to grow his party. He also fully displays the racial tensions and discrimination that existed within the Chicago police force and the FBI. King does not try to underplay or hide what was so openly displayed by those tasked with protecting the United States and its citizens.

Kaluuya is one of the most talented actors to grace Hollywood in the past few years and his performance as Hampton only solidifies this statement. He is engaging and powerful as Hampton and has enough charm to persuade anyone into believing that a revolution is the only choice to make change. Stanfield is just as talented in his portrayal of O’Neal. Stanfield has no problem navigating between O’Neal’s nervous demeanor when working with the FBI and his confidence in front of the Black Panthers as the head of security.

Dominique Fishback plays the role of Hampton’s fiance, Deborah Johnson. Fishback’s role made be on the smaller side, but her performance will leave a lasting impression, especially in the final few minutes of the film. The emotions she conveys in such a short amount of time perfectly capture the emotional final moments of the film and of Hampton. Martin Sheen steps in to portray Director of the FBI, J. Edgar Hoover, and it’s hard to accept that the same man who played President Bartlett in The West Wing could possibly be playing someone so despicable in this creation. At first, it was hard to even tell who the actor was behind all the make-up, but after a few minutes, you will have no problem recognizing the voice and the way Sheen holds himself.

Judas and the Black Messiah is another hard hitting film making its debut this February. Thankfully, it is not only being released in theaters, but also on HBO Max. This will allow those that can’t make it to the theaters the chance to see it on their screens and this is a film you will want to see.

Grade: B+