Judas and the Black Messiah | Rotten Tomatoes

Judas and the Black Messiah

R

Released Feb 12, 2021

2h 6m

History

Drama

Biography

TRAILER

for Judas and the Black Messiah: Trailer 2

List

97%

357 Reviews

Tomatometer

95%

500+ Verified Ratings

Audience Score

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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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 Consensus

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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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

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Shaka King

Director

Daniel Kaluuya

Fred Hampton

LaKeith Stanfield

William O'Neal

Jesse Plemons

Roy Mitchell

Dominique Fishback

Deborah Johnson

Ashton Sanders

Jimmy Palmer

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How Daniel Kaluuya Became Fred Hampton for 'Judas and the Black Messiah'

9:07

Judas and the Black Messiah: Trailer 2

2:29

Judas and the Black Messiah: Trailer 1

1:47

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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

Mark Kermode

Observer (UK)

It all adds up to a gripping drama...

Rated: 4/5

Mar 14, 2021

Full Review

Sarah Cortinaz

InSession Film

Judas and the Black Messiah is, no doubt, an indicative mirror image of our current state.

Rated: B+

Apr 23, 2024

Full Review

Nadine Whitney

Mr. Movie's Film Blog

Judas and the Black Messiah is a large film with a fine ensemble of actors, but it’s also a character study that focuses on small moments.

Sep 17, 2023

Full Review

Zach Pope

Zach Pope Reviews

POWERHOUSE STORY of a revolutionary, a change, & a traitor. Stylized to perfection the film carries amazing script/Camerawork. Lakieth is INCREDIBLE, Dominique blew me away, & We should be looking at our Best Supporting Actor Winner with Daniel

Jul 26, 2023

Full Review

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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: Jason Cloth, Zinzi Coogler, Ted Gidlow, Aaron L. Gilbert, Poppy Hanks, Anikah McLaren, Ravi D. Mehta, Sev Ohanian, Kim Roth, Jeff Skoll, Niija Kuykendall
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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