In a new era of political division and protest, Hollywood apparently rediscovered the late 1960s and its uproar in the streets as a way to reflect what American society is experiencing now. On the heels of Aaron Sorkin’s brilliant The Chicago 7 trial, we now have again a true story of the government trying to suppress the growing opinions of disagreement, in this case with the controversial Black Panther movement in the same period. Director Shaka King takes it powerfully and gives it gravitas in the eye opening Judas and the Black Messiah. Daniel Kaluuya stars as Fred Hampton, the young charismatic chairman of the Black Panthers chapter in Illinois, and Lakeith Stanfield is William O’Neal, the troubled young man who invades his organization as an informant for the FBI, who leads the group. target, and especially Hampton, as radical terrorists threatening national security.
Actually, Hampton is a minor player in Experiment of the Chicago 7, seen sitting behind and consulting with fellow Panther Bobby Seale, who is part of the trial group; Hampton was actually killed when the circus of a trial was underway. But here we get a full-fledged portrait, and get to know the true Hampton as an extremely polished and effective speaker for his cause, an expert on his side who knows how to whip up the followers and has clever ideas to perhaps takes the Black Panthers to another level.
Reporting when he was a student at a Midwestern college, he quickly rose through the ranks – so quickly he attracted the attention of the infamous FBI chief J. Edgar Hoover (Martin Sheen), who is a dedicated and self-taught beacon of morality invokes. FBI special agent Roy Mitchell (an excellent Jesse Plemons), to stop the Panthers and Hampton who see Hoover as an emerging threat. Plemons finds O’Neal – accused of pretending to be an FBI agent and driving a stolen car over state lines – as a perfect film to infiltrate the Panther organization and its most progressive chapter to the core of the operation of To reach Hampton so they can take him out. Faced with the choice of either working together or spending seven years in prison, O’Neal finds himself trapped in the plan, an awkward accomplice who clashes between what he increasingly sees as the noble causes of Hampton and the Panthers and his own desire for the more beautiful life he sees. in Mitchell’s world. He is complicated, torn between two paths and walks a very dangerous cord. He is Judas and Hampton the Black Messiah, the latter the description Hoover uses to mark the group he is trying to kill.
King, who goes with screenwriters Will Berson, Keith Lucas and Kenny Lucas, lies skillfully on every side of the equation in this raw and thrilling report compiled in 1968: the emerging power of the Black Panthers, seen as a threat for Hoover’s view of the world, and Hampton’s belief in the power of the people to elevate themselves to equality and justice in a society torn apart. Kaluuya once again shows extraordinary power as an actor, being particularly effective in recreating Hampton’s speeches, so confident at just 21, and sadly presents a man who was cut off before he could go to greatness. But it’s Stanfield who really has the most challenging job here, trying to navigate both sides without implying, a flawed man who tragically deceives himself and everyone around him. Stanfield is sensational in the role, a career the best so far. Dominique Fishback is also very good as Hampton’s co-revolutionary and emerging love interest, very committed and nine months pregnant.
In the circle around Hampton are a number of other good players, including the anger-filled Jimmy Palmer (Ashton Sanders), the enthusiastic follower Jake Winters (Algee Smith), the safety captain Judy Harmon (Dominique Thorne) and co-founder of the Illinois Panthers. Bobby Rush (Darrell Britt-Gibson). Lil Rel Howery also has his moments as Wayne, who meets O’Neal in the night streets of Chicago.
Producers are Ryan Coogler (this time with a very different Black Panther), Charles D. King and Shaka King. Warner Bros. will release the film in theaters and on HBO Max on February 12 after tonight’s world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival.
Check out my review above with scenes from the movie. Are you going to see Judas and the Black Messiah? Let us know what you think.