Directed by
Spike Lee
Made by
Focus Features
In the early 1970s, Ron Stallworth (John David Washington) breaks barriers by becoming the first African American police officer in the Colorado Springs, Colorado police department. His initial role in the records room exposes him to the harsh realities of racism, facing slurs from his colleagues. Seeking a more impactful role, Stallworth requests to go undercover and is given the challenging task of infiltrating a local rally featuring the influential civil rights leader Kwame Ture (Corey Hawkins), born Stokely Carmichael. The police are apprehensive, fearing that Ture’s presence could incite local African Americans to advocate fiercely for their civil rights.
During the rally, Stallworth encounters Patrice Dumas (Laura Harrier), the president of the African American student union at Colorado College. After the event, while driving Ture to his hotel, they are confronted by Officer Andy Landers (Frederick Weller), a corrupt and racist member of Stallworth’s precinct, who threatens Ture and sexually assaults Patrice.
In the aftermath, Stallworth is moved to the intelligence division after reporting the incident to his chief, who dismisses his concerns due to his rookie status. While perusing the newspaper, he spots an ad for joining the Ku Klux Klan. Stallworth decides to feign being a white man and reaches out to the Klan’s Colorado Springs chapter, eventually speaking with Walter Breachway (Ryan Eggold), its president. Aiming to attend Klan meetings in person, he persuades his Jewish colleague Flip Zimmerman (Adam Driver) to impersonate him.
As Zimmerman engages with Klan members including Breachway and the reckless Felix Kendrickson (Jasper Pääkkönen), he learns about a proposed attack from another member, Ivanhoe (Paul Walter Hauser). Meanwhile, Stallworth establishes a phone relationship with David Duke (Topher Grace), the Grand Wizard of the Klan and a presidential hopeful, further complicating their undercover mission. Tensions rise when Kendrickson suspects Zimmerman might be Jewish and threatens to expose him.
Amid growing tensions, Stallworth begins a romantic relationship with Patrice but keeps his police affiliation a secret. After providing crucial intelligence to the Army CID regarding active-duty Klan members, Stallworth discovers alarming ties to military personnel.
Their mission takes a perilous turn when Felix shows up at Stallworth’s home. Thanks to Zimmerman’s quick thinking and smooth talking, they evade danger. During Duke’s visit for Stallworth’s Klan induction, Stallworth is reluctantly assigned to protect Duke despite his protests. After Zimmerman’s initiation, a deadly plot unfolds as Duke’s invitation leads to a bomb threat that targets Patrice.
Once Stallworth realizes the gravity of the situation, he alerts law enforcement, managing to thwart the attack just in time. After a series of chaotic events, the plan fails spectacularly, resulting in tragic casualties among Klan members. Stallworth seizes the moment to gather evidence against Landers, ultimately resulting in the officer’s arrest.
While Chief Bridges congratulates the team on their success, he insists on keeping the operation under wraps. However, Stallworth seizes his moment, revealing his identity to Duke before ending their deceitful conversation, bringing a sense of victory to him and his fellow officers. In a poignant conclusion, Stallworth and Patrice contemplate their future together but are ominously interrupted by a haunting symbol of racism—a distant flaming cross planted in the hills, as real footage from the 2017 Unite the Right rally plays, starkly highlighting the ongoing battle against hate and prejudice.
Ron Stallworth Joins Police Department
In the early 1970s, Ron Stallworth becomes the first African American police officer in the Colorado Springs police department. His initial role in the records room exposes him to the pervasive racism within the department and leads to various challenges as he navigates this environment.
Request to Go Undercover
After facing disparaging treatment from his colleagues, Stallworth seeks a more meaningful assignment. He requests to go undercover, aiming to make a significant impact by infiltrating local rallies and civil rights movements.
Infiltration of Kwame Ture's Rally
Stallworth attends a rally featuring influential civil rights leader Kwame Ture. The police department is anxious about Ture's presence, fearing that it might inspire local African Americans to assert their civil rights more vigorously.
Encounter with Patrice Dumas
At the rally, Stallworth meets Patrice Dumas, the president of the African American student union. Their connection deepens after he drives Ture to his hotel, where they face a threatening encounter with Officer Andy Landers.
Report of the Assault
After the attack by Officer Landers, Stallworth reports the incident, but his rookie status causes the chief to dismiss his concerns. This leads to Stallworth being transferred to the intelligence division.
Discovering the Klan's Ad
While scanning the newspaper in the intelligence division, Stallworth discovers an ad inviting people to join the Ku Klux Klan. Seizing this opportunity, he decides to infiltrate the organization by pretending to be a white man.
Connecting with Walter Breachway
Stallworth initiates contact with the Klan's local chapter and speaks with its president, Walter Breachway. This connection helps him establish credibility within the organization as he sets out to attend their meetings.
Flip Zimmerman's Impersonation
Stallworth persuades his Jewish colleague, Flip Zimmerman, to pose as him during Klan meetings. This partnership comes to a critical point as Zimmerman must navigate interactions with various Klan members.
Growing Tensions in the Klan
As Zimmerman interacts with Klan members like Felix Kendrickson and Ivanhoe, tension rises. Kendrickson begins to suspect Zimmerman's heritage, putting their undercover operation at considerable risk.
Stallworth's Romantic Involvement
While managing his undercover operation, Stallworth starts a romantic relationship with Patrice. He keeps his police ties a secret, adding complexity to their relationship as he balances his duties and personal life.
Major Intelligence Findings
Stallworth uncovers alarming connections between Klan members and active-duty military personnel while gathering intelligence for the Army CID. This discovery highlights the depth of the threat posed by the Klan.
Danger at Stallworth's Home
The dangerous nature of their mission escalates when Felix Kendrickson shows up at Stallworth's home. Thanks to Zimmerman's quick thinking and improvisation, they narrowly avoid a potentially violent confrontation.
Duke’s Klan Induction Ceremony
During the initiation ceremony for the Klan, Stallworth is unexpectedly assigned to protect David Duke, the Grand Wizard. His intensity and conflict arise as the stakes of their undercover operation heighten.
Thwarting a Deadly Plot
Once Stallworth learns about a bomb threat targeting Patrice, he acts swiftly to alert law enforcement. The operation unfolds chaotically, ultimately leading to devastating consequences for the Klan members.
Final Confrontation and Reflection
As the operation concludes, Stallworth reveals his identity to David Duke, marking a victorious moment for him and his team. In the film's poignant ending, Stallworth and Patrice reflect on their future, interrupted by the haunting sight of a flaming cross, underscoring the ongoing battle against racism.
Ron Stallworth
Ron Stallworth is determined and courageous, breaking significant barriers as the first African American officer in the Colorado Springs police department. His commitment to justice drives him to undertake an undercover mission, albeit complicated by his racial identity. Stallworth’s journey reflects the personal sacrifices made in the fight against racism.
Kwame Ture
Kwame Ture, also known as Stokely Carmichael, is a passionate civil rights leader outspoken against racial injustices. His presence significantly influences the African American community, challenging them to stand for their rights. Ture represents a voice of empowerment in a critical moment of the civil rights movement.
Patrice Dumas
Patrice Dumas is the president of the African American student union, embodying the fight for equality and justice within academia. Strong-willed and principled, she develops a romantic relationship with Ron Stallworth, complicating his undercover work. Patrice represents the voice of the youth pushing for systemic change.
David Duke
David Duke, the Grand Wizard of the Klan, is charismatic yet deeply manipulative, presenting a façade of respectability while harboring hateful ideologies. His interactions with Stallworth reveal the complexities of racism’s presence in society. Duke epitomizes the dangers of extremist beliefs and their impact on social order.
Flip Zimmerman
Flip Zimmerman serves as Stallworth's Jewish colleague who impersonates him during Klan meetings. His willingness to take on this role highlights themes of identity and complicity in confronting racism. Zimmerman’s character showcases the challenges of bridging cultural divides for a greater cause.
Time period
1970s
The 1970s in America were marked by social upheaval, with growing movements advocating for civil rights and equality. This era also experienced heightened racial tensions, as various groups fought against systemic racism and discrimination. It was a time of both struggle and transformation, as many sought to redefine societal norms.
Location
Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs is a city known for its stunning natural scenery, including the famous Pikes Peak. In the early 1970s, it served as a backdrop for social unrest and civil rights struggles, especially with its police department's racial dynamics. The city witnessed significant events involving both law enforcement and civil rights movements.
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Civil Rights
The film centers on the fight for civil rights during a turbulent period in American history. Through the experiences of Ron Stallworth, it highlights the challenges and barriers faced by African Americans in law enforcement and society. The narrative emphasizes the importance of activism and standing up against racism.
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Identity
Identity plays a critical role in the film, as characters navigate issues of race and personal affiliation. Stallworth’s duality as a Black officer working undercover adds complexity to how he views himself and his mission. The theme extends to the Klan members, who confront their own biases and misconceptions.
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Deception
Deception is pivotal to the plot, as Stallworth impersonates a white man to infiltrate the Ku Klux Klan. This theme raises questions about loyalty, trust, and the lengths individuals must go to achieve justice. It showcases how appearances can be misleading and the impact of subterfuge in confronting hate.
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