Viewers are taken about by the ‘brutally realistic’ war film starring an A-list actor that was ‘robbed’ of an Oscar for his performance
It was nominated for Golden Globes and BAFTA awards (Image: Netflix)
The story is fictional, and yet for viewers it feels all too real as they praise the war film for being ‘one of the best’ out there – and it’s streaming now.
Critics praised it upon its release, and viewers continue to talk about its impact today, as this movie, over ten years on, still seems to rank high amongst all-time classics.
Launching on the streaming platform in 2015, Beasts of No Nation is a war drama based on the story of a young boy who was left with no choice but to become a child soldier following the death of his family. As he fights in a horrific civil war in his home country, he is faced with the harsh realities of warfare, and he tries his best to survive; the odds are not in his favour.
The film is based on the 2005 novel of the same name, but the war at the heart of the story is fictional, as is the area of the West African country on which it’s based. Although it is based on extensive research, human rights reports and interviews with refugees to capture the realities of conflicts in the region.
The young boy and protagonist, Agu, is captured and taken in by a manipulative rebel leader, known as the Commandant, played by Idris Elba, and forced to fight for the cause. He loses all his innocence and is eventually brainwashed into the belief system of the rebels.
Viewers described it as a ‘sobering’ experience (Image: Netflix)
Having watched the film, one viewer took to Rotten Tomatoes to leave a review. It reads: “Beasts of No Nation is not just a film—it is an experience.
“It is a brutal, beautiful, and unforgettable work of art that brings light to the often-overlooked plight of child soldiers. A must-watch for anyone who values powerful storytelling and cinema with a conscience.”
Another viewer shared: “I don’t remember it being this good. This is simply one of the best war movies I’ve ever seen. Brutally realistic. Nothing is watered down.”
When it launched, the film touched the hearts of so many people, and it went on to receive numerous accolades. Elba in particular was praised for his performance, which landed him nominations for the BAFTA, Golden Globe and Spirit awards, although he was snubbed from the Oscar acting category.
One fan said: “Idris Elba was robbed at the Oscars, this was a masterful performance by him. 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. Amazing movie that everyone should see at least once.”
The film was adapted from a 2005 novel (Image: Netflix)
On the review platform, Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an overall review score of 91%, close enough to perfection to draw even more film fanatics in.
For those yet to see Beasts of No Nation, the film is still available to stream now exclusively on Netflix, although it should come with a warning that you may walk away from the screen ‘stunned’.