There are no bad boys, only good soldiers.
Based on the 2005 novel by Uzodinma Iweala and set in an unnamed African country, Beasts of No Nation tells the story of Agu (Abraham Attah), a young boy who gets separated from his family when army troops invade his village and kill everyone in sight. Fleeing to the wilderness, Agu encounters a group of rebel mercenaries led by a fearsome Commandant (Idris Elba) and is immediately recruited by them. There he undergoes dangerous initiation rituals and rigorous training, but also finds a kindred spirit in Strika (Emmanuel “King Kong” Nii Adom), another young recruit. In time, Agu’s wide-eyed naiveté turns into coldblooded vengeance, as he and his fellow soldiers set out to destroy the military force that killed so many of their people.
Suffice to say, Beasts of No Nation, directed by True Detective’s Cary Joji Fukunaga, is not for the faint of heart. Agu may not be based on any one person, but his plight is painfully real in similar parts of the world. Knowing that, it can be hard to stomach Agu’s transition into becoming a killer — especially when boys his age shouldn’t even have to think about things like that. Nevertheless, this is a coming-of-age story grounded in harsh truths, and newcomer Abraham Attah skillfully captures his character’s awful transformation. Luckily, Agu has his buddy Strika to lean on in times of strife, but even that relationship is fragile in war.
Idris Elba, meanwhile, is chillingly charismatic as the Commandant. His character’s impassioned speeches rightfully inspire his very young followers, to the point that even we as viewers might believe what he says. But as the Commandant moves his troops from site to site, it becomes clear that he too has insecurities about their never-ending rebellion. In some ways, the story is not just about the children who fight, but the grown men who lead them. And in this case, they’re not as all-knowing and powerful as they think they are.
Idris Elba in Beasts of No Nation
As brutal as Beasts of No Nation is, the set-pieces are exhilarating and, at times, hauntingly beautiful. The film also has moments of true artistry, thanks to Fukunaga’s inspired cinematography. The filmmaker is renowned for his impressive long take in True Detective: Season 1, and there are similar technical achievements in this. The most striking image comes late in the picture when Agu trudges through a muddy, labyrinthian trench and passes by numerous dead bodies without a second glance. It’s a nonessential moment in the story, but it perfectly illustrates Agu’s desensitization to violence.
That said, Beasts of No Nation isn’t without some flaws. For example, an extended leave at one of the rebel bases goes on much longer than it needs to for what it’s trying to convey about the Commandant’s rank and authority. As a result, the focus gets a little hazy in spots, and the ending feels abrupt in its attempt to catch up with itself. Part of that could have something to do with the book being adapted to fit a feature-length film, although I can’t be certain since I haven’t read it.
Idris Elba and Abraham Attah in Beasts of No Nation
Regardless, Beasts of No Nation accomplishes what it sets out to do; it exposes the horrors of children fighting in war, and it asks the tough questions that surround that issue — and it does so in a compelling way. In the end, the film is definitely worth checking out — and, let’s face it, a free watch on Netflix is hard to beat.
Beasts of No Nation isn’t the type of movie you “enjoy,” but it is extremely effective in depicting one boy’s harrowing journey into the heart of war. While Agu’s account is fictitious, his character’s loss of innocence is entirely real for hundreds of thousands of other children like him across the globe. Tapping into that grim reality can be hard to watch, particularly for Agu. However, you can’t deny the talent that’s on display from newcomer Abraham Attah, as well as Idris Elba. While the story loses some steam towards the end, Beasts of No Nation is worth watching for its strong performances and uncompromising direction.
Beasts of No Nation will be released on Netflix and in select theaters on October 16.
