On Friday, Netflix released its first original film “Beasts of No Nation.” After paying around $12 million for the international rights, Netflix was hoping that this film would do what “House of Cards” did for their television department and launch them off as an established film distributor.
Based on a novel by the same name, “Beasts of No Nation” follows a boy in Ghana as he fights to survive as his country falls apart due to war. Newcomer Abraham Attah leads the cast as protagonist Agu, who is forced to fight for his survival after he is split apart from his family. Along the way, Agu runs into the rebel resistance, led by Idris Elba’s Commandant character. The Commandant takes Agu under his wing, and Agu has no choice but to grow up and face the brutality of war firsthand. The Ghanan backdrop of the action becomes a character in itself and sets the tone of distinct beauty in utter brutality.
“Beasts of No Nation” is not a particularly easy movie to watch. The mass violence and the many innocent casualties of war play huge parts in the movie. Whether it is having to watch Agu killing someone or an attack led by the rebels, viewers are forced to face difficult topics head on when watching “Beasts.”
A large part of the success of this movie should be attributed to writer and director Cary Joji Fukunaga. Fukunaga’s direction and camerawork in this film is truly a masterpiece. Every shot is handled with beauty and grace and is a juxtaposition with the harsh content of the film. Even when the narrative of the film begins to drag its feet in place, Fukunaga’s direction elevates the material to a level which is nothing short of magical.
Despite all of the major movie chain companies boycotting the film due to its unique nature of being released simultaneously in theaters and online, “Beasts of No Nation” will be sure to leave an impact. Idris Elba puts on the performance of his career, and an Oscar nomination is quite likely coming up in his future. However, despite its interesting premiere on a Netflix platform is, a movie like this is made for the big screen.
“Beasts of No Nation” is at times heartbreaking and extremely hard to watch, yet it is something that everyone should view. “Beasts” does more than tell a story — it sheds light on issues that are happening today. The loss of Agu’s innocence is a somber tale, but with Fukunaga’s spectacular direction, “Beasts” is a film worth watching.
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