The Wasteland Reviewer

One Spoon of Chocolate (2026) Written Review

What do you get when you combine the filmmaking of RZA and the support of Quentin Tarantino? Quite a provocative film, for sure. The sensibilities of Tarantino are so clear and obvious that it is hard not to see that all over One Spoon of Chocolate. It is no secret Tarantino is a big fan of Blaxploitation cinema especially if you have seen his film, Jackie Brown. But Tarantino is just the “Presents” of the film with this film being RZA’s vision instead. Oh…it is quite the visceral and unflinching vision at that. You have a young black man who is a former soldier as well as a convict who finds himself in a small Ohio town that is ready to destroy him. 

What does RZA bring to One Spoon of Chocolate when it comes to the vision of this action/thriller? The film is certainly meant to have that 70s grit of Blaxploitation classics. You can see the fingerprints all over it even if the (mostly) digital filmmaking doesn’t quite capture the texture of what RZA is trying to go for. This is quite apparent in the climax of the film where they lean into some of that vintage filmmaking. The film is certainly brash, aggressive, and full of energy. There is brutality that is on display and RZA never avoids showing the darkness in this story. The bursts of violence are thrilling yet shocking. When the film is dialed in, there is something quite thrilling about the experience. There are some pacing issues though as the uneven pace and overlong experience does drag the film down at times. There is certainly plenty of energy and personality thrown in through needle drops and the musical score from Tyler Bates and RZA. One undeniable element of One Spoon of Chocolate is the impressive soul and passion that RZA injects into this film.

Does RZA’s script live up to the B-movie, Blaxploitation vibes of his filmmaking? The film is certainly comfortable living in a specific space. The film is as blunt as any film you are going to find. RZA is certainly not concerned about painting complex characters. The racist white men throughout the film are basically cartoon characters who are as deep as a puddle. Our protagonist, “Unique” is a stock character you expect to find in a revenge flick like this. He is resourceful and full of zeal. His buddy, Ramsee, is full of personality which makes him one of the most engaging characters (and makes his journey even more impactful). There is a bit of romance thrown in. and plenty of racial conflicts throughout the film. This nearly two-hour film would have benefited from a tighter story and runtime (which would have made the film more impactful). There are some threads thrown into the film that had potential but are just undercooked and made to feel extraneous instead.

 Does the cast go a long way in bringing life to this experience? Shameik Moore brings so much to the role of “Unique” that is necessary to make him an engaging protagonist. The character, as discussed, is not the deepest but Moore’s natural charisma and swagger make him a lively and intense figure in the film. He sells physicality (especially in the climax) so well. Rage is so essential to this character and the film and Moore sells that rage so perfectly. RJ Cyler is a performer who is not short on personality, and he brings plenty of life to Ramsee. Paris Jackson is the love interest in the film, and she does what she needs to sell Darla’s connection with “Unique”. A few veteran black actors bring some weight to the film like Rockmond Dunbar and Blair Underwood. For a film like this one, you need some white actors to do the work and bring some vile energy. Kudos to Michael Harney and Harry Goodwins for doing just that.

Is One Spoon of Chocolate a worthwhile flick to check out? From a vision standpoint, RZA delivers what he wants. From an entertainment standpoint, this brings a brash and violent burst into the theater. Moore makes for a great lead and embodies that type of energy of the piece. But this is also a flawed film that drags and feels a little undercooked narratively. The bluntness will work perfectly for some and frustrate others. In the end, this is a fully realized and passionate vision from RZA and that is something to admire.