Set in the late ’60s following the assassination of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., “Judas and the Black Messiah” tells the true story of Illinois Black Panther Party chairman Fred Hampton’s murder.
This historical and powerful storyline captivates viewers into what might be one of the best films released so far this year.
The HBO Max film was written and directed by Shaka King and produced by Black Panther and Oakland native, Ryan Coogler.
The movie features William O’Neal, played by Lakeith Stanfield, as the protagonist FBI informant in Hampton’s murder.
FBI agent Roy Mitchell, played by Jesse Plemons, lures in 17-year-old O’Neal, to infiltrate the Black Panther Party after he was arrested for impersonating an FBI agent and auto theft.
Mitchell believes the Black Panther Party is made up of people who “sow hatred and inspire terror.”
Like any 17-year-old who’s naive and vulnerable to society, O’Neal exemplifies what it’s like to be a victim of capitalism and its cruelty.
Hampton, played by “Get Out” star Daniel Kaluuya, was an outspoken 21-year-old leader of the Black Panther Party, whose anti-capitalism and socialist ideologies included the progression and liberation of oppressed people. He actively fought for social change to bring “power to the people.”
Kaluuya’s depiction of Hampton’s accent and mannerisms convey just how much he studied for the role.
Director Shaka King’s camera angles and use of colors within his cinematography phenomenally reveals how impactful Hampton’s speeches were for minority groups in Chicago.
A scene of Hampton’s famous speech, “I am a Revolutionary” drew in many people against political oppression and encouraged them to embrace the idea of “strength in unity.”
His political activism successfully attracted young college students, rival Black organizations, a white activist group called the “Young Patriots” and the Puerto Rican group “Young Lords”, to form an alliance known as the “rainbow coalition.”
Although I would’ve loved to see more scenes of rainbow coalition , we do get to see some of the most dynamic clips on how it was formed, including when Hampton went knocking door-to-door to persuade groups to join.
Powerful scenes depict O’Neal’s personal demons and potential reasonings as to why he would’ve helped the FBI.
Stanfield’s strong portrayal of O’Neal’s avaricious character suggests he was also part of the Black American struggle.
This is exemplified in scenes where he chants along with the Black Panther Party but then switches teams to inform the FBI.
In O’Neal’s 1990 interview clip shown at the end of the film, he claimed to never be an armchair revolutionary.
“At least I had a point of view,” O’Neal said. “I was dedicated. And then I had courage to get out there and put it on the line, and I did. I think I’ll let history speak for me.”
As he admits he doesn’t feel like he betrayed anyone, O’Neal’s cowardly persona allows viewers to rethink if he was really a casualty or just a flat-out traitor.
The religious connection between Judas, the man who betrayed Christ, and O’Neal, who betrayed Hampton and the Black Panther Party for his own personal gain, depicts how betrayal can lead to one’s own self-destruction.
The film also features impactful scenes of Hampton’s fiancée Deborah Johnson, now known as Akua Njeri, who was eight months pregnant at the time of Hampton’s death. Johnson is played by “The Hate U Give” actress Dominique Fishback.
During Hampton’s murder scene, Fishback perfectly portrays Johnson’s emotions, which felt almost draining to watch because of their intensity.
The lack of empathy from FBI agents who caused his death by shooting him in a police raid at his home, will leave viewers feeling heartbroken for Johnson and his unborn child.
Johnson and Hampton’s son, Fred Hampton Jr. said in a Feb. 12 Los Angeles Times interview that there have been several different attempts to make a movie about their lives.
“We’ve taken a principled stance towards maintaining the legacy under contested conditions,” Hampton Jr. said. “It’s been a long battle to maintain that legacy.”
Hampton’s legacy continues to shine through his son who took over as president and chairman of the Prisoners of Conscience Committee and the Black Panther Party Cubs in the late ’80s.
It’s possible to say that some of the key contributing factors to this exceptionally great film finally being produced were because of Hampton’s family contributing and thoroughly choosing actors that felt right to retell their personal story.
