2021 is off to an incredible start with some new films, and Judas and the Black Messiah is no exception. With Daniel Kaluuya and Lakeith Stanfield, this drama is based on a true story - and it gives a raw and tragic portrayal of racism and the fight for black equality that cuts its audience deep.
Of course, Daniel Kaluuya is the lead Black Panther, and his performance is as riveting as it is emotional, to the point where it's capable of giving every viewer chills. It's time to reflect back on every role he's brought to the big screen - based on the powerful impact it had in Hollywood and the rest of the world.
Tealeaf (Psychoville, 2009-2011)
This television series is a comedy horror, but it actually runs deeper than what one would expect at first glance. A group of strangers receives a mysterious note about "what they did", and they're all forced to face their reality.
Spanning everything from family issues to misery, there are all kinds of strange and tragic tales regarding this group of people. While it has comedic relief, it's actually an insightful and intriguing watch - and Kaluuya is one of the leads.
Mo (Chatroom, 2010)
This drama-thriller doesn't exactly have the best reviews, but it was an early starring role for Daniel Kaluuya. Five teenagers meet on an online chatroom and find it taking a dark turn when the leader of the group threatens their lives.
Kaluuya is Mo, one of the teens. Each of them come from different backgrounds and lead different lives, involving drugs and depression and more - all intermingled with the dangers of the online world. Chatroom surprisingly hits on a lot of tough and powerful issues, including for Mo.
Black Death (Kick-Ass 2, 2013)
This comedy satire is a huge hit among superhero lovers, and it's definitely the kind of movie that steers right into all of the genre's tropes. Starring Aaron Taylor-Johson and Christopher Mintz-Plasse, the latter trains to fight Kick-Ass, and enlists help from various people.
Among them is a former UFC fighter dubbed Black Death (Daniel Kaluuya), and there's a comedic but real conversation about the racial undertones of it. Still, this role is refreshing, and Kick-Ass 2 is a light-hearted action flick that still hits hard.
Matt Coward (Babylon, 2014)
This television mini-series is a crime drama mixed with some pretty comedy. While there are only seven episodes, it's actually a pretty great show that takes some time to dive into some interesting issues. Following frontline police, this show isn't afraid to tackle anything from internal conflict to threats in the field.
Kaluuya is Matt Coward, the documentary filmmaker, and offers a pretty incredible performance. Every episode takes a look into some pressing crime, and besides the comedic relief, it can cut deep, especially with Kaluuya in such a pivotal role.
Jatemme Manning (Widows, 2018)
Widows is a crime drama starring Viola Davis, Michelle Rodriguez, Elizabeth Debicki, and more, and centers around four women who are left in debt after their husbands meet their demise during criminal undertakings.
Daniel Kaluuya is Jatemme, and helps the story along through revenge, greed, power, and loyalty. This dark flick is about these women taking back what is theirs, but Kaluuya's character definitely represents the darker side of the plot in a brilliant way.
Reggie Wayne (Sicario, 2015)
This is another movie where Kaluuya takes a back seat as a secondary character, but his role is significant in pushing along the narrative of the struggles of being a female FBI agent in the midst of a corrupt job. He's one of the few characters to be supportive of the female protagonist.
With the talented Emily Blunt, Josh Brolin, and Benicio Del Toro, Sicario blurs the lines of morality as an FBI task force finds themselves in the middle of the drug trade between the U.S. and Mexico. This movie dives deeper than any regular action crime drama.
Slim (Queen & Slim, 2019)
Queen & Slim is a crime drama premised on the way police officers racially profile Black people. On their first date, Queen and Slim are pulled over by the cops - and then they are forced to go on the run.
This action-packed, romantic, and totally heartbreaking story is riveting and powerful - and Kaluuya gets to shine in the spotlight alongside Jodie Turner-Smith. It's another case of Kaluuya taking on a role with important subject matter behind it.
Chris Washington (Get Out, 2017)
This horror film made huge waves when it was released; both for being an incredible and brilliant thriller, but also for starring and being directed by Black men in Jordan Peele and Daniel Kaluuya.
This movie also tackles race and slavery in fascinating ways. It follows a young African-American who visits his white girlfriend's family for the weekend. Get Out is one of the best horror flicks out there, and even scored an Oscar win.Considering it's important messaging, it's another powerful role
W'Kabi (Black Panther, 2018)
Marvel's Black Panther is one of the most popular and important superhero films to be released in the MCU, and it's no surprise based on the riveting story and stellar cast. Chadwick Boseman takes the lead as T'Challa and has truly made this movie timeless.
Beyond being an entertaining superhero blockbuster, this movie also made huge waves around the world - specifically in the Black community. Having this powerful cast - including Daniel Kaluuya - was memorable and brilliant on the big screen.
Fred Hampton (Judas And The Black Messiah, 2021)
This biography crime drama is directed by Shaka King, and follows an FBI agent that enlists a young man to infiltrate the Black Panther Party. Among high political and social tensions, the fight for equality is a difficult and tragic one.
Daniel Kaluuya is the leader of the party, Fred Hampton, and fights powerfully and valiantly for a voice among the noise. Judas and the Black Messiah is a heartbreaking true story, but it's also undoubtedly Kaluuya's most powerful yet.