Judas and the Black Messiah premieres on February 12, 2021, in theaters and on HBO Max.
One of the year’s most anticipated films, Judas and the Black Messiah, has arrived.
Since the film’s first trailer, there is no denying the excitement it created after showing a fierce monologue delivered by Daniel Kaluuya. Not only does the film live up to the hype, but it surpasses it. It is nothing short of an absolute powerhouse of a film that is not only refreshing but provides modern relevance while offering a voice to the voiceless in what is sure to be one of the best films of 2021.
Judas and the Black Messiah is based on the true story of Black Panthers’ Chairman Fred Hampton and FBI informant William O’Neal. The film instantly takes cinephiles into their world as it takes them through the Black Panther Party’s journey fighting for their beliefs and against police brutality and the FBI’s plan to do whatever it takes to bring the party and Hampton down.
If there is one word to describe Shaka King’s film, it isn’t very sympathetic. Rather than hold cinephiles’ hands throughout and paint an inaccurate politically correct picture, King delves into every little detail of the personal and political fights of all parties involved that will leave you genuinely understanding the high stakes at the time.
The film’s over the top enjoyment stems from King and company stepping away from a traditional biopic route and instead presenting a movie as a Scorsesian crime drama, similar to The Departed. Despite being already aware of both men’s eventual demise, the film shows their stories in a compelling, relentless, and tragic way aided by our Judas and Messiah, LaKeith Stanfield and Daniel Kaluuya.
LaKeith Stanfield is phenomenal in his take as William O’Neal. Stanfield is both honest and heartbreaking in this portrayal as he rides through his character’s self-doubt of whether or not he’s doing the right thing. The inner dilemma Stanfield presents helps audiences grasp the choices O’Neal has to make throughout the film and continues to show why Stanfield’s acting reputation continues to grow as one of the best actors working in Hollywood today.
Daniel Kaluuya’s performance as Chairman Fred Hampton feels like a no-doubter, as in a no-doubt Oscar winner. Kaluuya is electrifying and has already cemented himself as one of the most diverse actors in Hollywood. Kaluuya is a “tour de force” with this performance and brings his career to a new level. It’s hard to imagine a better supporting performance in the Oscar season and all of 2021.
While the Stanfield and Kaluuya praise is warranted, Dominique Fishback should not go without notice. As Deborah Johnson, Hampton’s fiancée, Fishback adds a layer of emotion and vulnerability to Kaluuya’s Hampton. The subtle, quiet moments between Hampton and Johnson offer up some of the film’s sweetest and endearing moments.
The film’s technical aspects, including the production and costume design, stand out. Sean Bobbit’s cinematography adds another layer of authenticity to the movie where he believed it to be “crucial. There are a lot of historical beats, and to get them right was very important.” You see all of that come through in the film.
As both an AFI and NBR recipient of their respective top 10 of the year honors, Judas and the Black Messiah is a surefire candidate for best film of the year and will be one that many talk about upon its release and in the future.
Don’t miss out on watching Judas and the Black Messiah.
