The RZA’s powder keg new film, One Spoon of Chocolate, had its world premiere at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival as part of the ‘Escape From Tribeca’ series, and the night was nothing short of electric. RZA briefly introduced the film, as only he can. Walking to the podium, the legendary rapper/producer/director leaned into the mic and began with, “Mic check. 1-2. 1-2!”, firing up the already excited crowd in the OKX Theater located within the Borough of Manhattan Community College Performing Arts Center. After the brief intro, The RZA left the stage, the auditorium darkened, and for the next 1 hour and 52 minutes, the Tribeca audience of press, ticket holders, and various members of the cast and crew were taken on a wild, visionary, crowd-pleasing cinematic ride.

The RZA has been working on the story since he completed his 2012 Martial Arts movie, The Man With the Iron Fists. After some years, the filmmaker was able to complete the screenplay and expand his original idea into something bolder and more socially relevant. In the post-screening conversation with film critic Elvis Mitchell, RZA spoke to his philosophy on how a film should “entertain, provoke, and inspire.” His first comment when returning to the stage was to ask the audience if they were uncomfortable during certain moments in the film. There was united acknowledgement from the auditorium, as One Spoon of Chocolate is a project that delivers on its director’s three-level mantra. This one will certainly provoke a myriad of feelings from its viewers, while its tale of revenge will entertain fans of the genre pictures of the 1970s and 80s. Those who wish to become filmmakers will certainly find inspiration in The RZA’s clever use of the film styles that inspired him and his skillful balance of full-force, violent, entertainment with themes that speak to the real-time social issues of 2025 America.

An excellent Shameik Moore (who was equally great in The RZA’s Cut Throat City from 2020) stars as Unique, a man who has been released from prison after serving time for assault. Achieving parole, Unique meets with his parole officer, (the always welcome presence, Blair Underwood) who eventually sees something more inside the young man, beyond his felony convictions. Both men served in the Armed Forces, which allows Underwood’s by-the-book P.O. to soften a bit towards Unique and grant his request to live out his 5 year parole in his small Ohio hometown; a place run by White racists who permeate every level of local law enforcement, government, and local business. This is a town where the residents think it natural to call Black men “boy’.

Returning to his birthplace, Unique goes to the house where he grew up, now occupied by his cousin, Ramsey (an endearing RJ Tyler). The two are close and recapture their bond immediately. Ramsey has preserved Unique’s house and even put his name on the lease so no one can take it away from him. For a man with anger issues who has just left prison after being wrongfully convicted for assaulting a man who was beating up a woman, life just may be turning in Unique’s favor. Until…

On day one, Ramsey and Unique go to the local rec center to play basketball. Enter a gang of racist White thugs with attitudes, led by the diminutive but dangerous, Jessie (a dangerous James Lee Thomas). After a barrage of racist slurs hurled towards the two Black men, Unique unleashes his martial arts/military training skills on this unfortunate band of Nazi wannabes. Breaking bones and noses, Unique and Ramsey (who gets some good shots in as well), send their attackers packing.