The 2015 war drama "Beasts of No Nation" is now streaming on Netflix, and viewers are calling it an "outstanding" film that "doesn't shy away from showing the harsh realities of war." The movie, directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga, follows a young boy named Agu, a former peaceful villager who is forced to become a child soldier during a brutal civil war in his country.
Agu falls under the psychological grip of a charismatic warlord known as the Commandant, played by Idris Elba. The Commandant uses a calculated mix of paternal affection, fear, drug administration, and intense psychological manipulation to break Agu down until he becomes a lethal soldier, participating in brutal guerrilla warfare, trench raids, and war crimes across the countryside.
Inspired by a Novel
"Beasts of No Nation" was inspired by the book of the same name by Nigerian-American author Uzodinma Iweala, which chronicles Agu's experience from a visceral, first-person perspective.
The film holds a 91% score on Rotten Tomatoes. One reviewer described it as "a tragic and emotionally devastating depiction of child soldiers in West Africa," praising Abraham Attah's performance as Agu: "The cinematography is captivating as it contrasts the beautiful green jungle with the horrific abuse and war crimes that fester. The child acting is really impressive, and they're able to match the energy of Idris Elba's diabolical performance as the Commandant."
Elba's Award-Winning Performance
Idris Elba won a Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role, as well as other independent film accolades. Another reviewer called his performance "masterful" and said he was "robbed at the Oscars," adding: "His character is terrifying in ways other evil characters are not, because there is a layer of honesty and realism his performance brings. He is not just a comical evil dictator trope."
Other reviewers praised how "the movie doesn't shy away from showing the harsh realities of war and the things children are exposed to because of it." One fan wrote: "I WAS STUNNED... period, point blank. The visuals, music, and the brutal reality of guerrilla warfare and how it impacts the main character. This movie has managed to get a lot of different emotions out of me, more than the movies I see nowadays."
Critical Acclaim and Recognition
A user called it "an outstanding film featuring a remarkable storyline. Filming and assembling such a movie is a daunting task, but they executed it in a remarkable and impressive manner. I strongly recommend this film; you won't be disappointed!"
In addition to its critical acclaim, the movie won a prestigious Peabody Award and was praised by critics for maintaining an uncompromising focus on African characters and avoiding the "white savior" tropes common in Western media. "Beasts of No Nation" is available to watch on Netflix.
