The film spotlights identity politics and positions race and activism at the narrative core, sometimes at the expense of nuanced character development. Historical figures are portrayed through a lens that strongly emphasizes ideology, and several character arcs lean heavily on their identities for narrative momentum rather than more classic, multifaceted development.

Judas and the Black Messiah is critical of American institutions, policing, and traditional authority structures, painting them as antagonistic or corrupt. Family and religion play secondary roles, while radical political action and communal identity are heavily foregrounded. This could be viewed as a significant reimagining of traditional American or cultural values.

The film largely adopts the perspective of the Black Panther Party and presents alternative worldviews, such as law enforcement or patriotic sentiment, almost exclusively in a negative light. Dissenting viewpoints are mainly villainized, leaving little room for genuine ideological diversity or nuanced portrayals of opposition.