Opened: February 12, 2021

Directed by: Shaka King

Starring: Lakeith Stanfield, Daniel Kaluuya, Jesse Plemons, Dominique Fishback, Ashton Sanders, Martin Sheen, Darrell Britt-Gibson, Lil Rel Howery, Algee Smith, Jermaine Fowler, Dominique Thorne, Robert Longstreet, Terayle Hill, Nicholas Velez, Amari Cheatom & Caleb Eberhardt

Judas and the Black Messiah is a perfect example of recent American history that’s basically unknown to current generations despite.

After being picked up by the police, Bill O’Neal (Lakeith Stanfield) is recruited by FBI Special Agent Roy Mitchell (Jesse Plemons) to join the Black Panther Party chapter in Chicago and become an informant on the workings of chairman Fred Hampton (Daniel Kaluuya).

Being released months after another wave of civil unrest in America, the film shows how little things have changed and how police have consistently abused their power. It provides a different image of the Black Panther Party – which was rarely talked about in school – that is violent but stands up for their rights.

Kaluuya gives a passionate and memorable performance as Hampton.

Final say: A lesson on not learning from history. ★★★★★