Review of Judas and the Black Messiah (2021) by Ahmedaiman1999 — 22 Mar 2021

By alluding to the history's most nefarious story of betrayal, the title gives away that the movie draws a modern parallel between William O'Neal and Judas Iscariot. In such a risk-taking move that could easily spoil the ending, we can assume that the story here has more than meets the eye. The real significance of the story doesn't lie in its relevance or in the sense of "history repeats itself" per se, but rather in the fact we recognise that. This is what makes it all the more shocking and shameful. With all that being said, the movie itself is quite daring. Hollywood has made quite a few films about The Black Panther Party recently, but the relative dearth—as far as I'm concerned—have tackled the story of life and death of Illinois Black Panther Party chairman Fred Hampton. It is no easy feat, but what's even harder is neither villainising O'Neal's character nor absolving him from culpability. In other words, the movie doesn't take sides when it comes to the two lead characters, portrayed by LaKeith Stanfield and Daniel Kaluuya who gave astounding performances that further cement their status as two of the best actors working today. Stanfield perfected his character's uncertainty to a tee, while Kaluuya showcases his acting chops in full swing whether at his most theaterical or understated moments.

However, the movie can be accused of playing it safe storytelling-wise. Apart from the few opening minutes that instantly hooked me, the progression of events couldn't have been more pedestrian. I could feel a blood-boiling energy that has something of Spike Lee about it, but it seems quite repressed because the plot is restrained. Thankfully, the second half let this energy loose, regaining the sense of intrigue the movie has been lacking in except in its stylish moments, and acceletating tension of the plot in the process. Another qualm I have with this is how Mitchell, the FBI agent, tries to convince O'Neal to become an informant literally by saying that the KKK and the Black Panthers are no different. I mean, really? Regardless, this movie is definitely my biggest surprise of 2020, especially since I didn't even have the urge to watch it because the trailer made it feel like one of these style-no-substance movies that are entirely dependent on flaunting their anger to drive home their moral value.

(7.