Black Panther — Viewing Guide

Guided Viewing & Reflection

Science Fiction Unit — Afrofuturism

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PHASE 1 — While You Watch

Complete these sections as the film plays. You do not need to write in full sentences — notes, observations, and quick reactions are all useful here.

Afrofuturism in Action

1. How does Wakanda blend advanced technology with African cultural traditions? As you watch, note at least two specific examples — one moment of technology, one of cultural expression (costume, ritual, language, or music). What do these details suggest about what Afrofuturism imagines is possible?

Who Gets to Imagine the Future?

2. As you watch, note the heroes, scientists, leaders, and decision-makers you see. Who holds power in Wakanda, and what kinds of roles do they fill?

3. How does this cast compare to what you have seen in other science fiction — films, games, TV shows, or books you know? What is different, and why might that difference matter?

Technology in Wakanda

4. Note one piece of technology that stands out to you. Describe it specifically — what does it look like, how does it work, and what problem does it solve? What does it tell you about Wakanda’s values?

5. How is Wakanda’s technology different from what you encountered in Metropolis or The Time Machine? Think about who controls the technology, who benefits from it, and what it looks like. What might these differences suggest?

Powerful Moments & Symbols

6. Note one scene that surprises you or shifts your thinking while watching. What happens? What makes it powerful — the dialogue, music, imagery, or a character’s choice?

7. Identify one visual symbol — a costume detail, a color, an object, or a setting. What does it represent? Why might the filmmakers have chosen it?

PHASE 2 — After Viewing

Now that the film has ended, take time to think carefully before writing. Full sentences and developed ideas are expected here.

The Central Conflict: T’Challa vs. Killmonger

Both T’Challa and Killmonger believe Wakanda has a responsibility to respond to injustice in the world. They disagree, fundamentally, about how. Use the boxes below to map each character’s position carefully before forming your own view.

T’Challa’s Position

What injustice does T’Challa acknowledge? What solution does he propose? What values, loyalties, or fears shape his thinking? Use evidence from specific scenes or lines of dialogue.

Killmonger’s Position

What injustice does Killmonger name? What solution does he propose? What in his history, experience, and loss shapes his anger? Use evidence from specific scenes or lines of dialogue.

8. Which argument do you find more persuasive, and why? You do not have to agree with either character completely — you can acknowledge the strengths in both positions before making your case.

9. Can you think of a real-world situation — past or present — where a society, community, or nation faced a similar debate: protect your own people first, or reach out and intervene on behalf of others? What happened, and how was it resolved?

Personal Connection

10. Making It Personal: If you were T’Challa, what would you decide about Wakanda’s relationship with the rest of the world? What values, experiences, or relationships would shape that decision?

Then step outside the film: what elements of your own culture, language, or identity would you most want to protect and carry into the future? Is there anything you would want to change?

Essential Questions

These are the two questions driving our entire unit. Use them now as a lens for what you have just watched.

11. “Why do we tell stories about the future when we’re really talking about today?”
What is Black Panther actually exploring beneath the surface of its story? What present-day issues, fears, or hopes is it using science fiction to address?

12. “Who gets to imagine the future — and why does that matter?”
How does this film answer that question? What argument does it make by placing Black characters at the center of a vision of the future?

13. What question does this film raise for you that you most want to bring to our class discussion?