‘One Spoon of Chocolate’ (2025)

Looking to re-start his life after serving in the military and having been recently released from prison, veteran Randy 'Unique' Joneson (Shameik Moore) works out a deal with his probation officer to be relocated to the last place he has any family left, Karenville, Ohio.

Moving in with his cousin Ramsee (RJ Cyler) Unique is soon made aware that Karenville is very much a sundown town run by racist sheriff McLeoud (Michael Harney) and his violent son Jimmy (Harry Goodwins). Slowly uncovering a town-wide conspiracy involving organ harvesting, Randy has to choose between a safe future for himself or revenge.

Not trying to be subtle, the RZA delivers, as writer and director, blunt social commentary surrounding injustice, exploitation and institutional racism. By tracking Moore’s Unique as he struggles to settle down after having served his country, he is further perturbed as he learns that his community are very much in active danger every day, as sheriff McLeoud monitors every incident in town and twists the narrative to always proclaim every violent crime as the result of black people’s actions, rather than that of his son.

Existing somewhere out of time, the film functions in a very recognisable setting. Reflecting the very real and hateful issues that divide our society today, the feature incorporates elements from different eras to drive home the persistent and enduring nature of manufactured hatred. Focusing largely on the violent portrayal of active racism, RZA delivers ultra violent scenes that hammer one over the head with the very real repercussions of racially driven violence.

Adding a layer of mystery, the story folds in another level of abuse suffered by the black community in America. Prior to Unique’s arrival in Karenville, his younger cousin is assaulted by Jimmy and his gang, driven to the local doctor and his organs harvested. With Ramsee later suffering that same fate, the body horror effectively presents the brutal nature of how allowing intolerance and letting it permeate many different levels of governance and authority can lead to unimaginable abuse.

Lacking nuance however, the film paints a very black and white portrayal of its characters. Trying to fit in for the most part, Unique suffers at the active and systematic exclusion that all black people face in Karenville. Being immediately confronted as he arrives, Unique gets involved with Jimmy’s gang only for trying to defend himself. Conversely, Jimmy is never portrayed as anything more than a violent and mindless drone serving under hateful ideals with no other layers to his personality.

Following the one-dimensional characters can be frustrating if one is expecting deeper insight into the nature of propagating racism or conversely, how to tackle the issue more effectively. The film serves to display the ugliest side of humans without throwing out any suggestions on how to try to eliminate the problem. Making up for the lack of character development, fans of grime and body horror could find themselves enjoying the flick for the pure and unadulterated displays of gore and action.

Score: 2/4