Based on the true story of Fred Hampton, Judas and The Black Messiah stars Daniel Kaluuya as Hampton, and LaKeith Stanfield as William “Bill” O’Neal, a double agent working for the FBI. I watched this film by chance, but I’m glad I did – I think it could already easily be one of the best films of the year.
The film starts as Bill O’Neal gets caught impersonating a FBI agent, and is persuaded into becoming a double agent inside the Black Panthers to avoid jail time. The Illinois chapter of the Blank Panthers is led by Fred Hampton. Hampton is passionate, and charismatic, and is unfortunately already drawing attention from the FBI. He has big plans, and under his leadership the Blank Panthers grow in number and power. Soon, O’Neal rises through the ranks to become the head of security.
While the film is about Fred Hampton, 70% of it takes place about through Bill O’Neal’s perspective. Shaka King, the director, has said that the film is more about Hampton’s ideas than his life story, and the best way to highlight his ideology was to contrast it with O’Neal’s. It’s really interesting to see how their lives were intertwined, and perhaps this was the best way to show Hampton – to show him through one of his comrade’s eyes.
Daniel Kaluuya was so captivating. The scenes of him leading the Black Panther meetings were my favourite. They were so exhilarating. Kaluuya’s ability to lead that, to project the same air of being inviting and approachable while being so strong, that the real Hampton reportedly did, is special – his Oscar was well-deserved. LaKeith Stanfield was also fantastic, he gave a really complex performance. Perhaps one of the reasons Judas and the Black Messiah felt so real (even accounting for being based on true events), was that several key figures had a hand in the making of it.
Made 50 years after the events, Akua Njeri (Fred Hampton’s fiancé, formerly known as Deborah Johnson) and Fred Hampton Jr. consulted in making this movie. While some facts have been changed, understandably, this may be one of the most accurate depictions of the time. It depicts a sympathetic picture of the Black Panthers but it feels honest. Judas and the Black Messiah deftly combined a “movie treatment” and actual first hand accounts, and the outcome is well worth it.
MY THOUGHTS
I was well aware that many movies centred around Black people glamorize certain traumatic experiences. This movie doesn’t glamorize the events, in my opinion. It seems to be more of a way of preserving Fred Hampton’s legacy, and will undoubtedly introduce him to many who didn’t know his story, and to that of the Black Panthers. This is an impeccable movie through and through, and I’m glad that this particular group of people came together to make it.
Why you should watch it:
- Great casting, Daniel Kaluuya and LaKeith Stanfield give shining performances.
- The lighting is really well-done throughout the movie (I don’t know why I noticed this, but props to whomever was in charge of that.)
- Fred Hampton’s legacy, an invaluable key figure in Black History.
- You’ll be glad you watched it.
THE EXPERIENCE
I went to watch this at Vue (yes! in person!). I bought my tickets from the kiosk at the cinema, but you can also book them online which will also be slightly cheaper. There are social distancing measures so after each group, there’s two seats on either side that will automatically become unavailable. It also means limited numbers will be allowed in which means booking in advance is probably a good idea. I felt quite safe.
Of the cinema itself, I have the very strong opinion that Vue has the best nacho cheese. Great, great nachos in general. They also serve hot dogs, popcorn and lots of other crisps and snacks. At the location I went to (Westfield Shepherd’s Bush, inside the shopping centre), they also had a Ben and Jerry’s kiosk.
I would definitely recommend going to Vue, but also to cinemas in general. The theatres were being cleaned regularly and I felt safe. Everything was so clean.
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