RZA’S ONE SPOON OF CHOCOLATE

(director/writer: RZA; cinematographer: Brandon Cox; editor: Joe D’Augustine; music: RZA, Tyler Bates; cast: Shameik Moore (Randy ‘Unique’ Joneson), RJ Cyler (Ramsee Joneson), Isaiah R. Hill (Lonnie Joneson), Paris Jackson (Daria), Harry Goodwins (Jimmy), Michael Harney (Sheriff McCleod), Blair Underwood (Officer Beem), Emyri Crutchfield (Aretha); Runtime: 112; MPAA Rating: R; producers: Paul Hall, RZA; Cinema Distribution Variance Films; 2025)

“Stilted thriller.”

Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz

The rapper RZA (“Cut Throat City”/”The Man With The Iron Fists”), leader of the legendary hip-hop Wu-Tang Clan, directs this stilted thriller, that’s clumsily acted and executed. It’s a 1970s grindhouse, blaxploitation film that’s simply awful.The unconventional film seem like an amateur production that can’t even deliver the action it promises.

Randy ‘Unique’ (Shameik Moore), an ex-military convict with anger issues, has just been released from a military prison and wants to go back home to Karensville, Ohio, to live with his cousin Ramsee Joneson (RJ Cyler) and have a fresh start in life.

Randy finds his hometown has a white racist gang. In a racist incident, the law abiding Black man Lonnie (Isaiah R. Hill) is attacked by the white gang, who take him to a surgeon where he has his organs removed.

Randy mobilizes his forces to go after the racist gang and get vigilante justice.

The satire doesn’t work because the characters are one-dimensional and are undeveloped, the lead actor is miscast, the pacing is poor and the absurd story has no subtlety.

REVIEWED ON 5/9/2026  GRADE: D
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