Review of Beasts of No Nation (2015) by Malic — 15 Oct 2015

The portrayal of the child soldier Agu has to be one of the best child acting accomplishments of the decade. Attah Abraham is a great actor for his age and gives great narration as well as a wholly convincing tragic monologue about his loss of innocence. The rest of the cast is spectacular as well. Not to mention the camera is so well directed it sometimes makes you feel like a part of the rebel force. The movie is well done and worthy of attention.

This war drama is portrayed as artistically as the genre will allow for. The controversial subject of child soldiers is not shied away from even though some of the horror is implied off screen. The plight of the boy soldier seems accurately depicted while the actual countries and factions are left purposely vague. It's not a story about politics or right and wrong, it's a story about the cost of war on the people who are caught up in it. You may find yourself enamored by the charismatic commandant, unsure of what you want Agu to do next. That sort of confusion is what the main character is also feeling and the fact that I felt it while watching the story unfold is an accomplishment of the film.

Despite the many dismal scenes, after the movie is over you will want more of the story. This may be due to the ending itself which feels unresolved, but I also attribute this desire for more to the excellent story telling and cinematography of the action. The only problem I have with this movie is that it ended too soon.