Judas and the Black Messiah

In the late 1960s Chicago, 17-year-old Bill O'Neal is arrested after a failed attempt to hijack a car while impersonating a federal officer. This arrest marks the beginning of a drastic turn in his life, leading him into the world of the FBI and undercover operations.

While in jail, O'Neal is approached by FBI Special Agent Roy Mitchell. He is offered a deal to avoid prison time by becoming an undercover informant, tasked with infiltrating the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party.

O'Neal starts attending meetings and events of the Black Panther Party, building rapport with its members. This immersion leads him to form a complex bond with the party's leader, Fred Hampton, who is passionate about social justice and community work.

Under Hampton's leadership, the Black Panther Party begins to unite various marginalized groups to form the Rainbow Coalition. Hampton's charisma and vision for change inspire O'Neal and others, deepening O'Neal's internal conflict regarding his dual identity.

As O'Neal becomes more entrenched in the BPP, he witnesses Hampton's blossoming relationship with fellow member Deborah Johnson. This development adds emotional complexity to O'Neal's situation, as he grows closer to the individuals he is betraying.

O'Neal starts delivering valuable information about the BPP’s activities to Agent Mitchell in exchange for money. This arrangement deepens his entanglement with the FBI and further complicates his loyalties to the Black Panther Party.

O'Neal learns that George Sams, a fugitive BPP member, is also informing to the FBI. This revelation heightens the tensions within the BPP, making O'Neal's position increasingly critical and dangerous.

After the arrest of Hampton during a police raid, O'Neal's credibility increases, and he rises to the position of security captain within the BPP. His newfound power creates a more precarious balance between his roles as informant and party member.

O'Neal learns about the tragic death of Jimmy Palmer, another BPP member, who is killed in an encounter with law enforcement. This event incites further violence and turmoil within the party, deepening the stakes surrounding O'Neal's betrayal.

In response to escalating violence, BPP member Jake Winters leads a confrontation with the police, which ends fatally for him. This event signals the precarious nature of the party's standing with law enforcement and heightens the tension in O'Neal's life.

FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover gives O'Neal the directive to eliminate Fred Hampton as a threat to national security. This order places O'Neal in a morally compromising position, pushing him towards betrayal.

On the crucial night of the BPP meeting at Hampton's apartment, O'Neal carries out the unthinkable by drugging Hampton. This act leads to a police raid that results in Hampton's assassination, an event that reshapes O'Neal's life and legacy.

In the fallout from Hampton's death, O'Neal meets with Mitchell one last time to accept money and a key, signifying the end of his role as an informant. This encounter underscores the moral decay that O'Neal has experienced and the implications of his choices.

Fred Hampton's funeral is a poignant moment in the film, capturing the grief of the community over his loss. It also serves as a reminder of the lasting impact of his activism and the ongoing legacy of the Black Panther Party.

Years later, O'Neal reflects on his actions in a somber interview, revealing the internal struggle and regret he carries. His story serves as a haunting reminder of the complexities of loyalty, morality, and the sociopolitical landscape of America.