Watch Judas and the Black Messiah
- R
- 2021
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7.4 (92,838)
Judas and the Black Messiah is a 2021 movie based on real events that took place in the late 1960s and early 1970s in the United States. The film chronicles the rise of the Black Panther Party in Chicago, and the FBI's efforts to bring the movement down by infiltrating their ranks with informants. The story centers around two key figures in this conflict: Fred Hampton (played by Daniel Kaluuya), the charismatic and influential leader of the Black Panther Party's Chicago chapter, and William O'Neal (played by LaKeith Stanfield), the petty criminal who was coerced by the FBI into becoming an informant and spying on Hampton.
Hampton is depicted in the film as a powerful speaker and organizer, with a gift for inspiring people and building coalitions across racial and ideological lines. He is portrayed as someone who truly believes in the revolutionary potential of the Black Panther Party's message, and who is willing to put his life on the line to fight for it.
O'Neal, on the other hand, is shown as a conflicted and ultimately tragic figure. He starts off as a small-time car thief, but is caught by the FBI and given a stark choice: go to jail, or become an informant and help bring down the Black Panther Party. O'Neal reluctantly agrees, and spends the next several years infiltrating the party's ranks, gaining Hampton's trust, and ultimately participating in the operation that led to Hampton's death.
Throughout the film, we see the tense and often violent clashes between the Black Panther Party and the police, as well as the FBI's behind-the-scenes efforts to disrupt and dismantle the organization. Jesse Plemons plays Roy Mitchell, the FBI agent who blackmails O'Neal into becoming an informant, and who is instrumental in coordinating the bureau's efforts to undermine the Black Panther Party.
The film is directed by Shaka King, and co-written by King and Will Berson. It is a powerful and at times harrowing depiction of a turbulent period in American history, and one that still resonates today. It is a stark reminder of the lengths to which people will go to preserve their power and privilege, and the sacrifices that brave individuals make in order to fight against this oppression.
Overall, Judas and the Black Messiah is a must-see film for anyone interested in history, social justice, or the struggles of marginalized communities in America. It is a gripping and emotionally charged drama that will challenge your assumptions and leave you grappling with some of the most urgent questions facing our society today.
Judas and the Black Messiah is a 2021 drama. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.4 and a MetaScore of 85.