Beasts of No Nation (2015)

Beasts of No Nation (2015) is a powerful war drama directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga, based on the novel by Uzodinma Iweala. The film tells the harrowing story of Agu (Abraham Attah), a young boy in an unnamed African country who is forced to become a child soldier after his family is torn apart by civil war. Left alone and vulnerable, Agu is captured by a battalion of rebels led by a charismatic but ruthless warlord known as the Commandant (Idris Elba).
Under the Commandant’s influence, Agu is drawn into a brutal world of violence and indoctrination, losing his innocence as he struggles to survive. The film depicts Agu’s inner turmoil, capturing both his loyalty to his new “family” and the psychological trauma he endures. Beasts of No Nation portrays the devastating effects of war on children and the moral complexities of survival in a war-torn society.
Critically acclaimed for its unflinching portrayal of conflict, the film received praise for Attah’s compelling performance as Agu and Elba’s intense portrayal of the Commandant. It explores themes of innocence, identity, and resilience, and shines a light on the tragic realities faced by child soldiers. Beasts of No Nation was one of Netflix’s first original films and has been celebrated for its impactful storytelling, raw performances, and haunting cinematography.