RZA's One Spoon of Chocolate 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		0.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		2.5
Overall		3.5

RZA's One Spoon of Chocolate 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf September 30, 2026

As a writer/director, RZA is working to address certain issues in the black community. He was last seen trying to make sense of a post-Hurricane Katrina mess in 2020’s “Cut Throat City,” and now he takes on the rise of white power groups in America’s heartland in “One Spoon of Chocolate” (an odd title, but it’s explained in the picture). Of course, a lifelong fan of action cinema, RZA isn’t about to handle a story about hate and fear too seriously, electing to transform racial conflict into exploitation cinema, treating the production as though it was created in 1975. “One Spoon of Chocolate” has a lot of rage and a few potentially compelling ideas on the agitation of a nation, and certain scenes retain power. It’s also a very cluttered movie packed with half-realized ideas, missing editorial snap as the endeavor meanders to a violent conclusion.

Unique (Shameik Moore) is an ex-Army man fresh out of prison in New York, struggling with behavioral issues as he’s faced with rebuilding his life. Parole officer Beem (Blair Underwood) trusts Unique to stay clear of trouble, allowing him to relocate to his home in Karensville, Ohio, reuniting with his cousin, Ramsee (RJ Cyler), who presents him with stability, even introducing him to Darla (Paris Jackson), who’s tight with his girlfriend, Aretha (E’Myri Crutchfield). Unique is looking for peace, but danger reenters his life after a violent confrontation with local neo-fascist gang members, who take a beating from Ramsee and Unique. They report to Jimmy (Harry Goodwins), the leader, who lives with protection from his father, Sheriff McLeoud (Michael J. Harney). The gang wants to get rid of the cousins, soon putting Ramsee behind bars, but Unique isn’t backing down from a fight. Armed with a “survivor’s almanac,” the military man prepares for war, refusing to submit to a community of racists.

“One Spoon of Chocolate” commences with a prologue concerning an afternoon of hitchhiking for Lonnie (Isaiah R. Hill), a young basketball player trying to make it back home. He’s picked up by four women before stopping at a gas station, soon beaten into submission by members of Jimmy’s gang, who make it clear they don’t want black people in the community. It’s a shocking act of violence quickly taking an unusual direction into organ theft, which is part of the overall plot of the movie, but remains one of RZA’s ideas that could use a lot more development. “One Spoon of Chocolate” changes over to Unique’s return home, working his way back into society with help from Beem and a stay at a veteran’s shelter. A bus ride to Ohio puts the character into contact with the almanac, but the writing makes it clear that Unique hopes to stay far from conflict, attempting to suppress his anger issues, which have the potential to burn dangerously hot.

Tensions rise after a basketball court fight involving Unique and Ramsee and gang members showing their intent to harm the men. It should commence a run of escalation, but “One Spoon of Chocolate” doesn’t have that kind of focus. Instead, RZA attempts to deal with characterization, setting up Ramsee’s love for Aretha, which involves medical-grade lubricant. Unique gets his own love connection with Darla, which is handled with more gentleness. And the villains are understood, with Sheriff McLeoud making his hate obvious to all, relying on his son to take care of business. “One Spoon of Chocolate” arranges a media-led trap for Ramsee, but the tale gets away from RZA once again with the introduction of a bail bondsman paid to help Unique get his cousin out of jail. There’s far too much time spent on the supporting player, helping to slow down an already sluggish endeavor.

RZA's One Spoon of Chocolate 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Screencaps do not fully reflect final product.

The SDR image presentation for "One Spoon of Chocolate" delivers strong detail throughout the viewing experience. Skin particulars are precise at times, along with costuming. Interiors preserve decorative additions around living spaces and gang compounds. Exteriors are deep, exploring street life and community activity. Color is sharp, with defined primaries on style and design choices. Red blood is rich. Skin tones are exact, along with hair color. Blacks are deep, preserving evening activity and shadowy events. Compression mostly holds together. Interestingly, white "specks" that might be dead pixels are a common sight, and they don't appear to be a "grindhouse" addition to the movie.

RZA's One Spoon of Chocolate 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA mix balances dialogue exchanges from a variety of actors and their skill levels. Scoring selections offer sharp instrumentation and decent dramatic emphasis, and soundtrack selections secure crisp vocals. Surrounds aren't incredibly active, working with occasional musical moods and atmospherics. A few panning effects are utilized for vehicle movement. Low-end adds some weight with violent activity and beats.

RZA's One Spoon of Chocolate 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Interview (10:45, HD) with writer/director RZA (recorded with poor sound) is a basic overview of the production's origins, thematic intent, casting, and influences. It's not a post-mortem conversation, with the interviewee in salesman mode.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (1:38, HD) is included.

RZA's One Spoon of Chocolate 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"One Spoon of Chocolate" gets wilder as it hunts for a resolution, visiting the gang's lair, where sex and drugs aid the celebration of white authority, and Jimmy struggles with his place on a literal throne. RZA adds Proud Boys imagery to intensify the conflict, and the feature launches a major third act battle as Unique gears up for war against a group dedicated to ruining lives. The endeavor offers rough violence to help maintain viewer attention, but RZA has a bigger plan for "One Spoon of Chocolate," looking to address American history and ruinous race relations, chewing through tensions between Unique and his enemies. It's a lot to put at the end of an already unwieldly movie, doing little to bring the offering to a thunderous close. But it's ambitious in some ways, though RZA's passion to address hate can't magically make a semi-clumsy picture profound.