Judas And The Black Messiah: 10 Best Performances, Ranked

Warner Bros’ Judas and the Black Messiah is the latest movie to be released on HBO Max and in theaters simultaneously. It tells the narrowing and gripping true story of a young man named William O’Neal who was recruited by the FBI to infiltrate the Black Panther Party and spy on its chairman, Fred Hampton.

The movie is a strong Oscar contender and has received rave reviews, most of which point to the stellar performances from its powerhouse cast. It is a movie filled with performances that audiences will not soon forget, but there are some that stand out particularly well as truly great.

10 Martin Sheen (J. Edgar Hoover)

In a cast filled with many up-and-coming actors, Martin Sheen is the most noticeable movie veteran among them. That seems appropriate seeing as he is taking on the larger-than-life role of the director of the FBI, J. Edgar Hoover.

It is eerie seeing Sheen, an actor best known for playing the idealistic President Bartlet in The West Wing, play a political figure who used his power in disturbing ways. Sheen only really gets one scene to shine, but he uses it effectively. The only downside is that is extensive makeup is distracting, albeit fairly impressive.

9 Lil Rel Howrey (Wayne)

Lil Rel Howrey is one of three stars of Get Out to appear in this movie and his role here is quite small. Howrey plays a man credited as Wayne who works for the FBI and gives O’Neal a special delivery to use on his final mission.

At first, Howrey seems to be playing another comedic character as he is usually known for. However, he makes a sudden switch, becoming a much darker figure while still carrying a light-hearted energy to him that makes it even more disturbing. It is a small role but a compelling one.

8 Ashton Sanders (Jimmy Palmer)

Ashton Sanders is likely best known for his powerful role in Moonlight, but he is steadily building an impressive career in Hollywood with a variety of roles. In Judas and the Black Messiah, Sanders plays Jimmy Palmer, a member of the Black Panther Party.

Sanders does a terrific job playing this young man who is filled with rage that is ready to boil over at any moment. For a young actor, he’s a powerful presence on screen.

7 Darrell Britt-Gibson (Bobby Rush)

Darrell Britt-Gibson has another prominent supporting role as another member of the Black Panther Party, Bobby Rush. He acts as Hampton’s second-in-command and is often the strong, grounded voice of reason when Hampton is not around.

Britt-Gibson does well with a role that is not flashy by design. Hampton is the orator of the group and the true leader, but he needs someone like Rush to back him up. Britt-Gibson fills that role perfectly.

6 Dominique Thorne (Judy Harmon)

Another key member of the Black Panther Party in the movie is Judy Harmon, played by Dominique Thorne. While Thorne is still relatively new to the business, she has already starred in such acclaimed movies as If Beale Street Could Talk and will soon become an MCU star as Riri Williams in the Ironheart series.

It’s not hard to see what Marvel saw in Thorne based on this performance as she is one of the strongest members of the party who is intensely protective of her people.

5 Khris Davis (Steel)

One of the most memorable scenes in the movie finds Fred Hampton visiting the headquarters of the Black gang, the Crowns, and meeting with their leader, Steel, played by Khris Davis. As charismatic and intelligent as Hampton is, he has his work cut out for him with Steel.

Davis brings a lot to this role and really shines in this scene, making it one of the few times someone is going head-to-head with Hampton. Davis infuses the part with power, confidence, and even a bit of humor.

4 Jesse Plemons (Roy Mitchell)

Jesse Plemons continues to be one of the best character actors working today and his understated performance in Judas and the Black Messiah is further proof of that. He plays FBI agent Roy Mitchell, the man who recruits and handles O’Neal when he is undercover.

Some actors might have played the character as a straight villain while others might have tried to make him more innocent. Plemons hits the right notes in playing Mitchell as a family man who understands what the FBI is doing is wrong but convinces himself it is right to get the job done.

3 Dominique Fishback (Deborah Johnson)

With roles in The Deuce and Project Power, Dominique Fishback is becoming a very promising actor worth watching. Here she plays the very complex role of Deborah Johnson who becomes Hampton’s partner and mother to his child.

Fishback brings the strength to her performance that is needed for a character who is able to challenge Hampton like no one else can. She is also heartbreaking in showing her struggle with believing in the cause and wanting Hampton to remain safe and out of prison.

2 LaKeith Stanfield (William “Bill” O’Neal)

In many ways, O’Neal is the main character of the movie and he is a very complex protagonist. It would have been a difficult character for any actor to play, but LaKeith Stanfield proves he is up to the challenge.

Stanfield is such a captivating actor and he does so much in this role without even needing to speak. He makes O’Neal’s journey of desperation, greed, fear, and guilt feel so real. He does not make him the villain of the story, but rather a real character who is fascinating to learn about.

1 Daniel Kaluuya (Fred Hampton)

Daniel Kaluuya has already delivered a number of powerful performances thus far in his career, but his role as Fred Hampton in Judas and the Black Messiah shows a whole other level of his talent.

Hampton was a larger-than-life character who accomplished so much just by speaking. To make a figure like that feel grounded and human is no easy task but Kaluuya does it magnificently. He is as convincing in the thrilling sermon scenes as he is in the quiet and intimate scenes with Fishback. It is a stunning performance that will be remembered as one of the best of the year.

About The Author

Colin McCormick
(2037 Articles Published)

Colin McCormick is a Senior Writer with Screen Rant and has been a proud member of the team since 2019. In addition to his work as Screen Rant, Colin is also a writer of News, Feature and Review pieces at Game Rant. Colin has had a long passion and obsession with movies going back to the first time he saw The Lion King in theaters. Along with movies, Colin stays up-to-date on the latest must-see TV shows. While he loves to find interesting projects in any kind of genre, he has a special movie of crime stories that are infused with a little dark humor much like the work of his favorite author, Elmore Leonard.

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