← Back to results
Judas and the Black Messiah
2021 125 min Canada, United States of America R 18+
★8.0
Drama, History
Director: Shaka King
Trailers
EN
EN
Teaser
Teaser
Teaser
Teaser
EN
EN
EN
EN
EN
EN
EN
EN
EN
EN
EN
EN
EN
EN
EN
EN
EN
EN
EN
EN
EN
Description
Bill O'Neal infiltrates the Black Panthers on the orders of FBI Agent Mitchell and J. Edgar Hoover. As Black Panther Chairman Fred Hampton ascends—falling for a fellow revolutionary en route—a battle wages for O’Neal’s soul.
Budget:
$26M
US Gross:
$5.48M
Worldwide:
$6.42M
Starring
LaKeith Stanfield
Actor
Daniel Kaluuya
Actor
Jesse Plemons
Actor
Awards
Academy Awards 2021
— Best Original Song
Golden Globe 2021
— Best Supporting Actor
BAFTA 2021
— Best Supporting Actor
BAFTA 2021
— Best Cinematography
Academy Awards 2021
— Best Cinematography
Golden Globe 2021
— Best Supporting Actor
Academy Awards 2021
— Best Screenplay
BAFTA 2021
— Best Supporting Actor
MTV Movie & TV Awards 2021
— Best Actor or Actress
Academy Awards 2021
— Best Supporting Actor
MTV Movie & TV Awards 2021
— Best Picture
Golden Globe 2021
— Best Original Song
BAFTA 2021
— Best Casting
Screen Actors Guild Awards 2021
— Best Supporting Actor
Key opinion
Judas and the Black Messiah is widely regarded as a powerful and historically illuminating drama that excels through the commanding performances of its leads. While critics debate the effectiveness of its biblical framing and the coherence of its narrative structure, it remains a culturally significant work that resonates with modern discussions on racial justice.
| Acting | Daniel Kaluuya and Lakeith Stanfield deliver compelling, high-caliber performances that anchor the historical narrative. | |
| Culture | The film provides an essential, historically grounded exploration of the Black Panther Party and Fred Hampton's leadership that feels relevant to contemporary social movements. | |
| Production | The production design and aesthetic choices effectively capture the atmosphere and political tension of late 1960s Chicago. | |
| Screenplay | The screenplay is viewed by some as a sophisticated, non-sensationalized political thriller, while others argue it is disjointed and lacks the necessary depth to handle its complex social subtext. | |
| Theme | The biblical "Judas and Messiah" allegory polarizes viewers, with some finding it a poignant framing device and others criticizing it as a reductive or unnecessary thematic layer. |