BlacKkKlansman (2018)
Kernel Score: 87% · 7,989 ratings · Rated R
Genres: Crime, Comedy, Drama, History
Released: 2018-08-09
Runtime: 136 minutes
Is BlacKkKlansman worth watching?
Must-watch. A sharp, funny and angry true-story crime film about a Black detective who infiltrates the Klan by phone. It balances comedy and fury and doesn't let the audience off the hook.
Watch it if you
- like true stories with a point of view
- enjoy crime stories with dark humour
- want something that feels relevant
Skip it if you
- dislike films that mix comedy with heavy themes
- find racist language hard to sit through
Best for: Thoughtful night in
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch BlacKkKlansman
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
Colorado Springs, late 1970s. Ron Stallworth, an African American police officer, and Flip Zimmerman, his Jewish colleague, run an undercover operation to infiltrate the Ku Klux Klan.
BlacKkKlansman parents' guide: ages 15+
Parents need to know that BlacKkKlansman is an R-rated crime drama about an undercover police operation infiltrating the Ku Klux Klan, with racially charged content.
- Violence & scariness: Some — Includes depictions of KKK rally intimidation and racially motivated threat, rated R.
- Language: Strong — Contains frequent use of racial slurs and strong language as part of its depiction of white supremacist rhetoric.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like BlacKkKlansman
If you liked BlacKkKlansman, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Do the Right Thing (1989) — 89%: The same director at his angriest and most alive.
- Judas and the Black Messiah (2021) — 81%: Undercover infiltration of a hate-fuelled world, based on real events.
- Malcolm X (1992) — 84%: The same director's biography of a civil rights figure.
- The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020) — 85%: Real political fight dramatised with energy and wit.
- Just Mercy (2019) — 87%: Serious look at racial injustice, moving and direct.
- The Hate U Give (2018) — 89%: A modern, personal look at racism and violence.
Director
Cast
- John David Washington as Ron Stallworth
- Adam Driver as Flip Zimmerman
- Topher Grace as David Duke
- Laura Harrier as Patrice Dumas
- Alec Baldwin as Dr. Kennebrew Beauregard
- Jasper Pääkkönen as Felix Kendrickson
- Corey Hawkins as Kwame Ture
- Paul Walter Hauser as Ivanhoe
- Ryan Eggold as Walter Breachway
- Isiah Whitlock Jr. as Mr. Turrentine
BlacKkKlansman FAQ
Is BlacKkKlansman worth watching?
Must-watch. A sharp, funny and angry true-story crime film about a Black detective who infiltrates the Klan by phone. It balances comedy and fury and doesn't let the audience off the hook.
Where can I watch BlacKkKlansman?
In the US you can rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is BlacKkKlansman OK for kids?
BlacKkKlansman is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that BlacKkKlansman is an R-rated crime drama about an undercover police operation infiltrating the Ku Klux Klan, with racially charged content.
What movies are like BlacKkKlansman?
If you liked BlacKkKlansman, try Do the Right Thing, Judas and the Black Messiah, Malcolm X and The Trial of the Chicago 7.