Judas & The Black Messiah: The 10 Most Powerful Quotes From The Movie

Judas and the Black Messiah is up for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and it’s one new movie that certainly has fans and movie buffs everywhere buzzing about it. With riveting acting and a powerful and tragic story, there’s so much to love and take away from this flick.

Based on the true story of the Black Panther Party and the FBI’s assassination of Fred Hampton, there are many moments in this film that tear at the hearts of viewers – surrounding politics, love, family, racism, and hate. It’s time to reflect back on the lines that sent chills down viewers’ spines and stayed in everyone’s mind long after the movie was over.

10 “Words Are Beautiful, But Action Is Supreme.”

Everyone has heard the age-old saying that action is really what matters, but there’s something much more powerful about the way Fred Hampton touches on this message. In the movie, he is actually quoting Che Guevara.

Daniel Kaluuya is chilling as Fred Hampton and he plays him in a powerful and brilliant way from line to line. As a poet, Hampton uses words as a powerful tool, but even he agrees that action is the real thing that will make change. This quote solidifies that idea and inspires everyone watching.

9 “At One Point For Me, He Was Like A Role Model When I Didn’t Have One. We Had Very Few Role Models Back Then.”

LaKeith Stanfield gives an equally absorbing performance as Bill O’Neal. The movie also includes an interview, years later, where Bill O’Neal discusses his relationship with FBI agent, Roy Mitchell. He describes him as a role model and then goes on to say that Black people had very few at the time, but then mentioning Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, and Muhammad Ali.

This quote seems tragic, but it goes a lot deeper. At this period of civil unrest and inequality, there was a severe lack of power and strength given to the Black community, so much so that O’Neal found solace in an FBI agent. This dialogue runs a lot deeper than his personal relationship.

8 “At Least They Died For The People. We Should Be So Lucky.”

There is tension between Fred and Deborah over how much of themselves they should give to the revolution. She mentions the fate of leaders like Martin Luther King, but Fred is quick to state how lucky they could be to give that much.

Fred Hampton is an incredibly inspiring and selfless man fighting for equality, and this quote shows how deep his beliefs run in him – and all through the revolution.

7 “It Don’t Seem Fair That That’s His Legacy.”

Jake Winters is one character in the party that tragically dies at the hands of the police after he is involved in a shootout with them and his friend calls the cops on him. He feels trapped and helpless.

He is framed as a cop murderer and Fred Hampton visits his mother, where they discuss the gentle soul he was and how his legacy should be so much more – and his mother gives this quote. His story isn’t the only one, and this moment in the film is a powerful depiction of media framing, and Winters’ lack of choice.

6 “Reform Is Just The Masters Teaching Slaves How To Be Better Slaves.”

This movie isn’t afraid to dive deep into the system and the institution that has created, encouraged, and exploited racism. This time period was all about political change, but Fred Hampton knew there needed to be more.

This dark but honest quote unravels the concepts behind systemic racism and how reform is often instituted with a political agenda in mind. The Blank Panther Party sought to ensure there was a revolution, instead.

5 “A Badge Is Scarier Than A Gun.”

This quote is short and subtle, but it offers extreme insight into the entire undertone of the movie. Bill O’Neal is enlisted by the FBI instead of serving jail time after he is caught trying to steal by impersonating an FBI agent.

He states that he does so because a badge scares more than a gun. It seems simple and effective, but it also points to the conflict and unfairness between the police institution and Black communities. This quote shows the truth in it, and how that in itself is terrifying.

4 “Anywhere There’s People, There’s Power.”

In a time of political unrest and discrimination, this quote rings true. Fred Hampton’s goal was to unify, not divide, and he dedicated his life to the people around him so they could all live better, freer, and happier.

There is so much change that can come from people coming together, and this movie speaks volumes about this. There is a lot of power in the people, and this quote marks a powerful point in the movie.

3 “We Educate. We Nurture. We Feed, And We Lobby. Perhaps We’re Here For More Than Just War With These Bodies.”

Deborah Johnson is pregnant during this period of civil unrest, and all she wants is a safe and happy life for her family. She is also always trying to make sure that Fred is safe, and isn’t just giving his life to the revolution.

This quote also shows that the Black Panther Party seeks so much more than just a fight, but that they also are educating, nurturing, and unifying their people. This alone is so powerful.

2 “I Don’t Know What I’d Tell Him, Other Than I Was Part Of The Struggle.”

The movie also shows an interview, years later, with Bill O’Neal and his part as an FBI informant. This quote hits all viewers hard, and it comes when O’Neal was asked what he would say to his son about that time.

Bill O’Neal’s story is an honest depiction of someone who felt that they had no other option at the time. While he did his part with the FBI, saying he was “part of the struggle” cuts deep and is a divisive statement, to say the least.

1 “You Can Murder A Liberator, But You Can’t Murder Liberation …”

“You can murder a liberator, but you can’t murder liberation. You can murder a revolutionary, but you can’t murder revolution. And you can murder a freedom fighter, but you can’t murder freedom!”

This quote is a great summation of the entire film and it is incredibly powerful in describing the fight for equality, freedom, and liberation at this particular point in history. Despite Fred Hampton’s tragic and unfair death, he inspired change and contributed to the fight for freedom and liberation, and there was nothing more true and powerful in the movie than this quote.

About The Author

Meah Peers
(631 Articles Published)

I just graduated university with Criminology & Psychology, but have a burning side passion for film! I am an avid reader, writer, and film-goer, and I love learning about movies, actors, directors, and sharing my passion and knowledge with others.
I am a List Writer for ScreenRant, and love being a part of a film community where we all share the same passions.

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