JJ, aka John Shaft Jr., may be a cyber security expert with a degree from MIT, but to uncover the truth behind his best friend’s untimely death, he needs an education only his dad can provide. Absent throughout JJ’s youth, the legendary locked-and-loaded John Shaft agrees to help his progeny navigate Harlem’s heroin-infested underbelly.
Acting
Sam Jackson doing what he was born to do: being unhinged.
Writing
Shaft Sr. roasting his son's almond milk lifestyle never gets old.
Director
Tim Story
Samuel L. Jackson
John Shaft
Jessie T. Usher
JJ Shaft
Regina Hall
Maya Babanikos
Alexandra Shipp
Sasha Arias
Richard Roundtree
John Shaft, Sr.
Jordan Preston Carter
Young JJ
Nyah Marie Johnson
Young Sasha
Matt Lauria
Major Gary Cutworth
Titus Welliver
Special Agent Vietti
Method Man
Freddie P.
Isaach de Bankolé
Pierro 'Gordito' Carrera
Avan Jogia
Karim Hassan
Joey Mekyten
Young Karim
Luna Lauren Vélez
Bennie Rodriguez
Robbie Jones
Sergeant Keith Williams
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Richard Roundtree originated Shaft in 1971; this is his fifth appearance as the character, making this a literal grandfather of blaxploitation passing the torch.
The film deliberately weaponizes generational tension—Boomer machismo vs millennial sensitivity—as both punchline and genuine attempted commentary, with deeply mixed results.
US
