Judas and the Black Messiah

Judas and the Black Messiah is a powerful and gripping debut feature from director Shaka King, which was nominated for 6 Oscars at this year’s ceremony, including Best Picture.

The film tells the true story of the chairman of the Illinois chapter of the Black Panthers, Fred Hampton (Daniel Kaluuya) and the man who would betray him, Bill O’Neal (LaKeith Stanfield). Both actors give intense, heart-breaking performances and were each nominated for Best Supporting Actor, with Kaluuya ultimately winning. 

“Propulsive and riveting viewing…”

When the story starts, O’Neal is a highly-strung petty car thief, who, in return for being kept out of jail, agrees to act as informant on the Black Panthers for the FBI. He begins working his way through the ranks of the Black Panthers, inching ever closer to Hampton, the charismatic, magnetic figurehead who galvanizes a passionate public beaten down by oppression with his incendiary speeches. There is an engrossing push and pull between the two characters and as O’Neal becomes more and more entangled with the Panthers and their struggle, his loyalties become increasingly unclear. 

After the murder of George Floyd last year and the subsequent protests across the globe, this is an impassioned, arresting film, which, despite its 1960s setting, is painfully relevant today. Propulsive and riveting viewing, even as it nears its inevitably tragic conclusion, it never loses sight of the two very real men at its core, brought to life by two very special performances.

When you’re booking your cinema ticket you’ll notice the cinema has been divided into ‘bubbles’ in order to maintain social distancing. You won’t be able to book part of a bubble, but you can book more than one: for instance a group of four can book two bubbles of two. Each bubble may only be occupied by a single household: if you're visiting with people from another household they should book a separate bubble. 

If you can’t find a combination of seats that suits your group please get in touch and we’ll try to help, although capacity is very limited in all screenings.

If you need to book one of our wheelchair seats please contact our box office team on 01382 432 444, or email dca@dca.org.uk.

Text supplied by third party.