Beasts of No Nation Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A kid sells imaginary TV, loses his family, becomes a child soldier with Idris Elba, does bad things, gets sad, then maybe gets better… or not.

🍿 Beasts of No Nation: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Life Before the War

Agu, a young boy in an unnamed West African nation, lives with his family in a village near a UN buffer zone. He and his friends engage in playful mischief, creating an “Imagination TV” out of an old television set. Despite the looming threat of civil war, life seems relatively normal.

The Village Falls

Government forces attack Agu’s village after the UN peacekeepers withdraw. Agu’s father and brother are killed, and he is separated from his mother and sister. Forced to flee into the jungle, Agu finds himself alone and vulnerable, his world shattered by the sudden violence.

Joining the NDF

Agu is captured by the Native Defense Force (NDF), a rebel group led by the charismatic but ruthless Commandant. He is indoctrinated and forced to become a child soldier, undergoing brutal training and witnessing horrific acts of violence. Agu is assigned to carry ammo and quickly adopts the ways of the battalion.

Loss of Innocence

Agu’s transformation is gradual but devastating. He is forced to commit atrocities, including killing a prisoner. Over time, Agu becomes increasingly desensitized to violence and death. His once innocent view of the world fades as he succumbs to the brutality of war. He befriends another child soldier, Strika.

The Commandant’s Betrayal

The Commandant, while seemingly caring, manipulates and exploits Agu, ultimately abusing him. This betrayal further strips away Agu’s innocence and leaves him emotionally scarred. He begins abusing drugs more often to cope with the nightmares. The Second in Command starts to distrust the Commandant.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Agu (Abraham Attah): A young boy forced to become a child soldier after losing his family in a civil war.
• Commandant (Idris Elba): The charismatic and ruthless leader of the rebel soldiers who manipulates Agu into becoming a killer.
• Strika (Emmanuel Affadzi): A fellow child soldier and Agu’s close friend who endures the horrors of war alongside him.
• Two I-C (Unknown): The Commandant’s second in command, who eventually grows disillusioned with the endless conflict.
• Mother (Ama K. Abebrese): Agu’s loving mother, who is separated from him during the initial conflict.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Agu: “I saw terrible things… and I did terrible things.” – Agu reflects on his experiences as a child soldier, acknowledging the horrors he witnessed and committed.
• Agu: “So if I’m talking to you, it will make me sad and it will make you too sad.” – Agu warns that sharing his story will bring pain to both himself and the listener, highlighting the lasting trauma of war.
• Agu: “In this life… I just want to be happy in this life.” – Agu expresses his simple desire for happiness, a stark contrast to the violence and suffering he has endured.
• Agu: “You will think that… I am some sort of beast… or devil. I am all of these things… but I also having mother… father… brother and sister once. They loved me.” – Agu wrestles with his identity, acknowledging his monstrous actions while clinging to the memory of his past life and the love he once knew.
• Commandant: “This was all for nothing” – 2-I-C express hopeless to Commandant when he dying on the ground after getting shot accidentally by a prostitute.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $6,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $90,777
• Worldwide Gross: $90,777

💥 Beasts of No Nation Reviews

Personal Review

This movie hit me hard. I was not prepared for the emotional journey. Agu’s story is heartbreaking, and you really feel his loss of innocence as he is forced into unimaginable situations. Idris Elba is terrifyingly good, but Abraham Attah steals the show. His performance is so raw and real. I found myself completely invested in his fate. It’s not an easy watch, but it’s an important one.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Viewers interested in war dramas and African cinema”
  • “Fans of Idris Elba and Abraham Attah”
  • “Those seeking thought-provoking and emotionally challenging films”
  • “Individuals interested in social justice issues and human rights.”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence and war atrocities”
  • “Child abuse and exploitation”
  • “Disturbing and unsettling scenes”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Drug use”

Professional Reviews

• IndieWire: “Fukunaga’s direction is stunning. The way he directs every scene works brilliantly in tandem with whatever the film is trying to say. There are so many astonishing long shots of individuals’ faces. The inventive and beautiful directing really aggrandizes that feeling of total despair and loss of innocence.
• The Awards Circuit: “Battered by explosions and gunfire, you come out of the film wearing the same thousand yard stare as its characters. Abraham Attah absolutely disappears into his role. Fukunaga’s cinematography is quite good, not boasting the same tricks as True Detective, but also clearly battling against the elements.
• FilmJournal International: ““Beasts of No Nation” doesn’t soft-pedal or sanitize its subject. Cary Joji Fukunaga’s unflinching treatment of childhood in wartime is not only convincing and powerful, but genuinely disturbing. There are no easy answers, and perhaps no hope, to be found in this bleak landscape of murder and mayhem.

Audience Reactions

The film made me think about all the misery that goes around in Africa.: Viewers praise the powerful performances, especially by Abraham Attah, and the unflinching portrayal of war’s impact on children.

I felt his pain: The best African based movie ever!

Overall Consensus: A harrowing and powerful film with outstanding performances that provides a deeply disturbing look at the lives of child soldiers.

Awards

1. Screen Actors Guild Award (Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role)- 2016

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Director Cary Joji Fukunaga contracted malaria during the film’s production in Ghana.”
• “To enhance realism, Fukunaga cast former child soldiers and members of various factions from the Sierra Leone and Liberian Civil Wars as extras and consultants.”
• “The film was shot in 35 days on location in Ghana.”

🖥️ How to Watch Beasts of No Nation?

Beasts of No Nation is available for streaming on Netflix. It’s a Netflix original film, so you will need a Netflix subscription to watch it. Currently, there are no rental or purchase options available on platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, or Google Play, as it remains exclusive to Netflix.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Beasts of No Nation, you might like these similar films:

• Blood Diamond (2006): Both films explore the exploitation of African resources and the brutal impact of civil war, with a focus on the human cost.
• Johnny Mad Dog (2008): A raw and unflinching portrayal of child soldiers in Liberia, offering a direct comparison in terms of subject matter and realistic depiction of violence.
• Hotel Rwanda (2004): It also delves into the theme of survival and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable atrocities.
• War Witch (2012): Shares the theme of child soldiers and the loss of innocence during wartime in an African setting, offering a similar emotional and thematic experience.

🛒 Beasts of No Nation Related Products

• Beasts of No Nation (Novel) by Uzodinma Iweala: The book that inspired the film. Delve deeper into the story and explore the characters’ inner thoughts and motivations.
• African Civil Wars Documentary Collection: A curated collection of documentaries exploring the real-life conflicts that inspired ‘Beasts of No Nation’.
• Idris Elba Film Collection: A collection of films starring Idris Elba, showcasing his versatility and talent.
• African Art Prints – Set of 3: A set of vibrant art prints featuring iconic African images that capture the spirit and essence of the culture.

🎧 Soundtrack

Beasts of No Nation features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Illuminati” – performed by Michael Owusu Addo and Joseph Anthony Bulley, Performed by Randy Aflakpui, Abdul Mumin Mutawaki, Emmanuel Osei
• “Main Titles” – performed by Dan Romer
• “Leaving Home” – performed by Dan Romer

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Abraham Attah Arrives in Ghana

Watch this heartwarming video of Abraham Attah, the young star of “Beasts of No Nation,” returning home to Ghana after the film’s release. It’s a touching tribute to the power of film and the impact it can have on individuals.

Idris Elba on Return to “Luther,” Filming “Beast of No Nation”

In this interview, Idris Elba discusses the challenges and rewards of playing his complex character in “Beasts of No Nation.” He shares his thoughts on the film’s portrayal of war and its impact on children. A must-watch for fans of the film and Idris Elba’s performance.

Idris Elba Wins at Film Independent Spirit Awards

Check out this exciting moment when Idris Elba takes home the award for Best Supporting Male at the Film Independent Spirit Awards for his powerful performance in “Beasts of No Nation.” It’s a testament to the film’s impact and the recognition it received from the industry.

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