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Judas and the Black Messiah

Play trailer 2:29 Poster for Judas and the Black Messiah R Released Feb 12, 2021 2h 6m History Drama Biography Play Trailer Watchlist
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96% Tomatometer 358 Reviews 95% Popcornmeter 500+ Verified Ratings
FBI informant William O'Neal infiltrates the Illinois Black Panther Party and is tasked with keeping tabs on their charismatic leader, Chairman Fred Hampton. A career thief, O'Neal revels in the danger of manipulating both his comrades and his handler, Special Agent Roy Mitchell. Hampton's political prowess grows just as he's falling in love with fellow revolutionary Deborah Johnson. Meanwhile, a battle wages for O'Neal's soul. Will he align with the forces of good? Or subdue Hampton and The Panthers by any means, as FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover commands?
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Judas and the Black Messiah

Judas and the Black Messiah

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Critics Consensus

An electrifying dramatization of historical events, Judas and the Black Messiah is a forceful condemnation of racial injustice -- and a major triumph for its director and stars.

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Audience Says

Judas and the Black Messiah is based on a true story that's hard to watch -- but the way it's told here makes it even harder to turn away.

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Critics Reviews

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Christina Newland iNews.co.uk The facts of the real event are enough, and King deploys small moments, quiet close-ups and tiny details that, in total, amount to a story of unimaginable sorrow. Rated: 5/5 Sep 23, 2024 Full Review Namrata Joshi National Herald (India) Gifted as Hampton was with rare oratorial skills, the film on his life also tries to spin magic with his words... May 18, 2021 Full Review Wenlei Ma News.com.au Impressive, explosive and gut-wrenching. Rated: 4/5 Mar 19, 2021 Full Review Brittany Patrice Witherspoon Pop Culture Reviews For every conflicting element in Judas, there certainly were moments and aspects of King’s feature that worked beautifully on screen. Rated: 3.5/5 Jul 15, 2024 Full Review Paul Klein FILMHOUNDS Magazine The triumph of the film that by the end you understand why O’Neal did what he did, and you feel for him, while at the same time rallying behind Hampton in his chants of “I am a revolutionary”. Rated: 4.5/5 Jul 4, 2024 Full Review Sarah Vincent Sarah G Vincent Views Kaluuya, Fishback, Thorne and Powell transcend the limitations of the script and infuse an emotional history and character development missing in the actual script. Jun 15, 2024 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Brandan Rest In Power, Chairman Fred! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/23/22 Full Review Joseph K Excellent and riveting. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 06/18/22 Full Review Movie Goer 2021 Actors and actresses did an outstanding job. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/06/21 Full Review Chima loved the historical account and real life reference with footage. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/02/21 Full Review Lenlee H great camera work and script. some pacing issues but overall an easy to recommend film Rated 4 out of 5 stars 04/26/21 Full Review damien c “I am a revolutionary!” Amazing, powerful, poignant. The performances are off the charts all around. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/25/21 Full Review Read all reviews
Judas and the Black Messiah

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis FBI informant William O'Neal infiltrates the Illinois Black Panther Party and is tasked with keeping tabs on their charismatic leader, Chairman Fred Hampton. A career thief, O'Neal revels in the danger of manipulating both his comrades and his handler, Special Agent Roy Mitchell. Hampton's political prowess grows just as he's falling in love with fellow revolutionary Deborah Johnson. Meanwhile, a battle wages for O'Neal's soul. Will he align with the forces of good? Or subdue Hampton and The Panthers by any means, as FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover commands?
Director
Shaka King
Producer
Ryan Coogler, Charles D. King, Shaka King
Screenwriter
Will Berson, Shaka King
Distributor
Warner Bros
Production Co
BRON Studios, Participant Media, MACRO
Rating
R (Violence|Pervasive Language)
Genre
History, Drama, Biography
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Feb 12, 2021, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Feb 12, 2021
Box Office (Gross USA)
$5.0M
Runtime
2h 6m
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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