Judas and the Black Messiah

There are certain historical films I find more interesting than others and most of the time it has to do with how much I actually know about the events being depicted on screen. 

Have I heard this story before? Is this common knowledge? Is this a different angle on something I already know? Or is this completely new to me? 

Judas and the Black Messiah is firmly in the latter of those questions. I'm not well-versed in the history of the Black Panthers, and I'm even further "unknowing" if you're to ask me about the Chicago/Illinois chapter specifically. Fred Hampton is a name I've heard before, and I knew he was a part of their movement, but I truthfully did not know much more than that. 

So immediately, Judas and the Black Messiah, based on historical events during the Civil Rights movement (and after, somewhat) was interesting to me. What I wasn't necessarily expecting was a film that brought the level of intensity that this one comes packaged with, keeping me riveted and glued to my at-home seat for the full 2 hours. 

Getting any weaknesses out of the way, there's very little that Judas and the Black Messiah doesn't do well. In very seldom moments, it feels disjointed - particularly during "interview" segments that really only feed a special moment at the end. There's also a shifting focus between Fred and Bill that makes it hard to know who the movie is truly about and it makes certain scenes slightly less effective because of it. But when I say those are minor gripes, it's because they truly are and I'd venture to guess that many don't notice them. 

There's 3 things you get with Judas and the Black Messiah that make it an incredible film. 1) Performances 2) Script/Screenplay and 3) Intensity/Filmmaking. Why so straightforward with this review approach? Because these elements are apparent from the first moment through the last and sometimes you just have a film where the review is easy :-) 

Starting with performances, we're given two likely-to-be best-of-the-year knockouts from Daniel Kaluuya and Lakeith Stanfield. These two have been up-and-coming for the past several years, getting larger and larger roles that center around them. Judas and the Black Messiah brings them together - each as highly distinct characters - for some awe-inspiring moments. Kaluuya's Hampton is a leader from top to bottom, gathering others to his cause, even if they're initially opposed. His speeches are full of passion and vigor while in his quieter moments you can tell he feels the weight of his world on his shoulders. Stanfield's Bill O'Neal is a man trapped between what he wants (money) and what he believes (Black Panther cause). Eventually the money shifts to threats and he's even more trapped, risking his own death or torture and Stanfield's descent through anxiety is something to behold. It's probably overdone by the end, particularly in one final scene, but is otherwise a flawless performance.

 

Need a semi-creepy white guy?
Call Jesse Plemons!

Supporting both of these actors is a script and screenplay that's organized logically, well written, and powerful. You learn a lot in this film as it moves through a couple years, and the speeches Hampton gives are intense and eloquent, whether you agree with them or not. I usually consider that the best screenplays, especially for a historical drama, keep all the players organized on the chess board and the audience knows what's going on. Judas and the Black Messiah excels at this, which ratcheted up the intensity. Much like the best moments of Breaking Bad, the audience knows what certain characters do/don't know and what the motives between them are, creating tense scenes. 

Lastly is the filmmaking quality and overall intensity of the film, which is probably the most unexpected aspect. The cinematography is wonderful, as is the editing and pacing. There's a subtle original score (with a few stand out moments) that does it's job. But really it's in the film's most intense scenes that we're given moments that can sear into your mind. Between the screenplay and the intensity, Judas and the Black Messiah actually reminded me the most of The Departed (a film I desperately need to Retro Review because it's one of my all-time favorites). The two films, with their ability to craft moments of character "stand-offs", dialogue back-and-forth, and impending doom are almost one in the same (aside from the subject matter, somewhat) and it's probably this element that elevated Judas the most for me.

Judas and the Black Messiah - part of the HBO Max/theater same-time-release deal - is a powerful film regardless of whatever perspective you may have on the Black Panthers. Yes, it's powerful from the standpoint of being another Black Voice, during Black History Month no less, in a time where we're trying to heal/fix/move forward from systemic racism. It's also powerful in the sense that it's a damn riveting film, with an intensity that's complimented and enhanced by career-best performances and well-designed screenplay. Especially because it's available in your home, this is not to be missed. 

CONS

• Sometimes struggles to focus on either Bill or Fred
• Certain elements feel disjointed. Well intentioned, but kind of unnecessary
• Stanfield's performance in a scene near the end is too much, and it took me out of the movie. Can't say much more because of spoilers, but it's also not a huge deal

PROS

• Incredible performances from Kaluuya as Fred Hampton and Stanfield as Bill O'Neal. I'm not even sure I could pick one that's better than the other because they're both distinct and nuanced (and very different characters). For the viewers, that means that in nearly every scene you're watching an actor at the top of his game
• Supporting cast, including Jesse Plemons doing what he does best, is solid too
• Powerful script. Fred gets to deliver some eloquent and fierce speeches
• Logical screenplay that does a good job managing the "chess pieces", keeping intensity high, and teaching the historical aspects. I never felt remotely lost
• Well made. Certain moments of cinematography and original score highlights
• Intense. This is the film's "X-factor" that wowed me
• Poignant end credits that does well to wrap things up and inform viewers

Rath's Review Score | 9/10