Judas and the Black Messiah

2021 • 125 minutes

About this movie

FBI informant William O'Neal infiltrates the Illinois Black Panther Party and is tasked with keeping tabs on their charismatic leader, Chairman Fred Hampton. A career thief, O'Neal revels in the danger of manipulating both his comrades and his handler, Special Agent Roy Mitchell. Hampton's political prowess grows just as he's falling in love with fellow revolutionary Deborah Johnson. Meanwhile, a battle wages for O'Neal's soul. Will he align with the forces of good? Or subdue Hampton and The Panthers by any means, as FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover commands?

Ratings and reviews

An incendiary, knockout performance from Daniel Kaluuya in this civil rights drama won him the 2021 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Superb stuff too, from Lakeith Stanfield, also nominated in the same category, in a subtle, less showier role. Full review for more: bit.ly/JudasMessiah

There's a lot of ground covered in a short space of time with this movie and I struggled to keep up with what was going on and who was who which made me less engaged with the film than I would've liked. A movie I would recommend getting if its on offer or if it comes to a streaming service. I didn't love but I didn't hate it either.

Average Film, Brilliant Music, but can't help the feeling that's it's got some sort of hidden agenda. It's just pushing a false narrative. Massively exaggerated.