JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH

'Judas and the Black Messiah' just as the title states, that's exactly what to expect from this movie and based on true events it's serves as a history lesson for someone who is not familiar with the African-American history and racial struggles in the 1960s. O'Neal (Lakeith Stanfield) is a car 'boosting' criminal caught by the cops after attempting to steal a car. He is charged with prison time for carjacking and impersonating an FBI agent but also given the option of working undercover for the FBI to infiltrate the Black Panther party and get close to the party leader, Fred Hampton (David Kaluuya).

The major challenge movies like this face is how well the historical public figure is portrayed and represented by director(s) especially for those familiar with the said figure. David Kaluuya did a convincing performance as Fred Hampton in this movie. It's never an easy role or a natural one to act historical roles because there is much work that goes into carrying oneself like someone from the 60s especially a well-known public figure. Kaluuya was nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the Golden Globes and Screen Actors Guild awards for his role as Fred Hampton. I don't think there more to be said about this with the nominations. 'I am a revolutionary' I've still got those words stuck in my head 24 hours after watching. Stanfield's role is one that also can't go unpraised. It's not the usual role we've been seeing him pick up in movies. His performance was good and he will get your emotions up.

The theme of this movie is a good reminder about the racial struggles that has been ongoing in the U.S.A. and if you can recall the Black Lives matters movement that came into global view last year. This movie couldn't have chosen a better time to be released. 

'Judas and the Black Messiah' is a story of revolution, revolutionaries and betrayal. Most times when the words 'Based on true events' is slapped on the poster of a movie I get skeptical, either they're trying to sell a bad movie with those words or it's a good movie. For me it's a good movie and an educative one.