Review of Beasts of No Nation (2015) by Thegodfatherson — 17 Oct 2015

There were moments in Beasts Of No Nation where I had to pause the film to process what I had just seen. There is an unquestionable force released by Cary Fukunaga (True Detective, Sin Nombre) and onto the viewer.

The story follows young Agu (newcomer Abraham Attah) torn away from his family, who were murdered by ruthless soldiers, which forces Agu to flee and join a rebel group that fights against the soldiers who killed Agu's family.

First and foremost, Abraham Attah was brilliant, not brilliant as in amazing but as in powwrful, emotional and simply killer. Idris Elba plays the commandant of the group, and boy can that guy act. Elba is smoking hot on screen, and simply watching him can give you goosebumps.

No Nation touches many sensitive issues such as child soldiers, children on drugs and tobacco, how families are ripped apart and the stores of those who have been through it all. Agu is forced to kill, use drugs, smoke, swear and be turned into a beast rather than a playful and loving child.

Supporting cast is good as well. No Nation isn't a evil movie, it tells us what evil can do to a young, growing child, the commandant isn't a bad person in his own way, he just wants revenge. Anyway, this film also questions you in ways you would have ever thought of.

But beware, if you can't handle it don't watch it, some of my friends walked out because of the terror displayed in killings. But overall, brilliant and harrowing piece of work, and truly is on the road to the Oscars.

Another reason why you should get Netflix.