RZA’s ‘One Spoon of Chocolate’: A Gritty, Purpose-Driven Action Drama Rooted in Reality

Some action movies exist in Action Movie World, where violence is as common as breathing. Films like John Wick and Kill Bill thrive in this exaggerated realm, where conflict erupts at every turn—whether at the corner store or the gym. In this world, violence isn’t just a tool; it’s a way of life, and breaking into a fight is as mundane as ordering a coffee.

RZA, the hip-hop super-producer and filmmaker, has explored this realm before. His 2012 debut feature, The Man with the Iron Fists, was a martial arts spectacle starring RZA himself as a kung fu blacksmith with literal iron fists. The film was a wild, over-the-top adventure where the villain’s body was made of brass. While entertaining, it was far removed from reality.

RZA’s latest film, One Spoon of Chocolate, takes a starkly different approach. Violence still matters. Violence still hurts. But this time, it’s not set in Action Movie World. It’s not quite the real world either—but it’s close enough to feel unsettlingly familiar.

Plot and Characters: A Story of Survival and Resistance

One Spoon of Chocolate stars Shameik Moore as Randy “Unique” Joneson, a military veteran and ex-convict who returns home to rebuild his life. His cousin, Ramsee (RJ Cyler), welcomes him with open arms and puts his name on the deed to their shared house. For a moment, things seem to be looking up.

That changes when local white supremacists storm the community center where Unique and Ramsee are playing basketball. The racists throw their weight around, asserting dominance over the Black community. Unique, unfamiliar with the town’s toxic underbelly, fights back—and wins. But the victory is short-lived. These aren’t typical movie villains. They’re part of a sinister operation: kidnapping Black people and harvesting their organs. They’re not used to resistance.

Their leader, Jimmy (Harry Goodwins), retaliates brutally. Ramsee is imprisoned for fleeing the scene and striking a racist with his car. Unique goes into hiding, but not before preparing for a reckoning. The time for revenge will come—but not yet. The film delays its catharsis, stretching the tension over years.

A Dramatic, Not Action-Packed, Narrative

One Spoon of Chocolate isn’t a non-stop action spectacle. It’s a drama with action woven into its fabric. Unique and Ramsee live realistic lives before the plot escalates, making the eventual violence feel tragic, not triumphant. There’s nothing “fun” about white supremacy, organ harvesting, or corrupt cops. When the violence finally arrives, it’s not awesome—it’s brutal.

The film’s success hinges on the audience’s patience. RZA takes his time building to a catharsis, and whether it lands depends entirely on the viewer’s willingness to wait. If you’re patient, there’s much to appreciate in One Spoon of Chocolate. RZA has assembled a cast of richly textured protagonists and one-dimensional villains who serve as clear embodiments of evil.

Key Takeaways

• Real-world stakes: Unlike typical action films, violence in One Spoon of Chocolate carries weight and consequence.
• Delayed gratification: The film prioritizes character development and realism over immediate action payoffs.
• Social commentary: The story confronts systemic racism, organ harvesting, and corrupt systems with unflinching honesty.
• RZA’s directorial shift: A departure from his earlier, more fantastical The Man with the Iron Fists.