Judas and the Black Messiah Review: The Heartbreaking History Lesson The World Needed

Starring: Daniel Kaluuya, Lakeith Stanfield, Dominique Fishback, Jesse Plemons, Martin Sheen

Directed by: Shaka King

Written by: Will Berson, Shaka King, Kenneth Lucas, Keith Lucas

Judas and The Black Messiah is a memoir of Fred Hampton, the chairman of the Black Panther society and his betrayal at the hands of his colleague, FBI informant, William O’Neal.

With every prominent figure comes no shortage of adversaries but the ones masked as comrades are most dangerous. You don’t know who they are, only they do, but they must live with the weight of their choices for the rest of their days.

What you just read is what culminates in this film, it’s a tragedy that unfolds with a deep history behind it. Essentially we are rethought a history lesson society desperately wants us to forget which highlights the discrimination and cultural upheaval faced by African-Americans during the ’60s.

The Black Messiah

Daniel Kaluuya did amazing as Fred Hampton, there’s absolutely no question about it. He commanded his role impeccably and moved as though he’s a force of nature. He captured the essence of Fred Hampton with all of his power, charisma, anger, worries and courage.

He set the bar so high that you can tell that the rest of the cast struggled to reach it, they made a valiant effort but ultimately Lakeith Stanfield and Dominique Johnson came closest.

Judas

Lakeith Stanfield gave the second-best performance of the film as William O’Neal although his character was the protagonist. The film opened with him, concluded with him and he’s the one who drove the narrative though it’s quite easy to forget that due to Fred Hampton being such a pivotal point of the story.

Guilt and turmoil, as well as admiration and respect, were on full display in Stanfield’s portrayal and it’s enough for us to feel just conflicted like his character is but it’s frustrating to watch because ultimately he’s still the Judas in Judas and The Black Messiah.

The Black Messiah’s Queen

Dominique Johnson held her own quite well as Deborah Johnson, Fred Hampton’s love interest. Her presence in each scene kept me invested, the scenes she shared with Kaluuya were poignant and dynamic and her scenes without him were just as moving.

I’m not very familiar with Johnson’s work, I have only seen her in one other movie but it’s clear she’s a contender, I hope to see her go far in the acting industry.

The Artistry Of Judas And The Black Messiah

Judas and the Black Messiah maintains stability, Shaka King remained impartial by unraveling the positive as well as the negative aspects of the movement. The story structure is handled with delicacy and the utmost care, it takes time with the pacing and follows a linear narrative.

The film is well crafted and stacked with powerful actors with Daniel Kaluuya on top. Head my warning, as good as this film is, it is not easy to watch, you’re likely to experience immense sadness or rage.

All of the tragedy, corruption, violence and systematic racism depicted is not watered down, not even in the slightest and for good reason. Judas and the Black Messiah exposes a harsh truth that needed to be told and it’s a truth we still face every day.

Will you be watching Judas And The Black Messiah? Have you seen it already? What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments below. For more reviews like this, follow Moriviews on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook so you don’t miss a thing.

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