Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Antiracist messages in unfocused, violent action movie.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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One Spoon of Chocolate
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In ONE SPOON OF CHOCOLATE, former Army soldier Randy "Unique" Jackson (Shameik Moore) is newly released from prison. His parole officer (Blair Underwood) lets Unique travel from New York to Karensville, Ohio, where he has a cousin, Ramsee Joneson (RJ Cyler), who gives Unique the room that once belonged to his now-deceased brother. While playing basketball, the cousins are harassed by members of a White power group. Unique easily takes them all down, but they re-group with their leader, Jimmy (Harry Goodwins), the son of the local police chief, who's largely untouchable. Out with Ramsee's girlfriend, Aretha (E'myri Crutchfield), and her friend Darla (Paris Jackson), the cousins once again run into trouble. Ramsee is arrested, and the cousins must put up their house for bail. But when another terrible event transpires, Unique realizes that it's up to him to take on the villains.
Is It Any Good?
This action movie from Wu-Tang Clan legend RZA boldly tackles White supremacy, but unfortunately the film lacks focus and rhythm overall; it meanders through its story. Frankly, One Spoon of Chocolate probably takes too much on. In addition to racism, it looks into corrupt law enforcement, economic instability, and an illegal organ-donation scheme that makes little sense (one victim is made to look like he died in a drunk-driving accident, but, with major organs missing, how would that be possible?). And it gives Unique a romance and a backstory that positions him as a "noble warrior" who only chooses violence because there's no other choice.
The movie more or less stumbles through all of this stuff without really building any momentum or ramping up for the final showdown. It's well-known that RZA loves martial arts and Blaxploitation movies—just like his friend Quentin Tarantino, who executive produced and "presents" this movie—but, unlike Tarantino, RZA doesn't seem to know how to blend his influences into something new. Nevertheless, despite its shortcomings, One Spoon of Chocolate gets points for standing up to racial hate when few others are bothering.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about One Spoon of Chocolate's violence. How did it make you feel? Was it exciting? Shocking? What did the movie show or not show to achieve this effect? Why is that important?
How does the movie portray racism and hate groups? How can the media affect public opinion on topics like these?
Do you consider Unique a role model? Why, or why not?
The movie mixes action with serious real-world issues. Do you think that approach makes its message stronger or weaker? Why?
How are police and other authority figures portrayed in the movie? What does that say about public trust in institutions? How should communities respond when authority figures abuse their power?
Movie Details
- In theaters : May 1, 2026
- Cast : Shameik Moore , RJ Cyler , Paris Jackson
- Director : RZA
- Inclusion Information : Black Movie Director(s) , Black Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Gay Movie Actor(s)
- Studios : 36 Cinema , Variance Films
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Topics : Activism ( Racial justice )
- Run time : 114 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : strong violence, some gore, language throughout including racial slurs, sexual content/nudity, and drug use
- Last updated : May 1, 2026
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