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Beasts of No Nation (2015)

Not Rated  |   |  Drama  |  16 October 2015 (USA)
7.8
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Ratings: 7.8/10 from 25,572 users   Metascore: 79/100
Reviews: 76 user | 154 critic | 30 from Metacritic.com

A drama based on the experiences of Agu, a child soldier fighting in the civil war of an unnamed African country.

Director:

Writers:

(screenplay), (based on the novel by)
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Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 6 wins & 49 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
Agu
Emmanuel Affadzi ...
Dike
Ricky Adelayitor ...
Village Constable
Andrew Adote ...
Ecomod 2nd Lieutenant
Vera Nyarkoah Antwi ...
Little Sister
...
Mother
Kobina Amissah-Sam ...
Father
Francis Weddey ...
Big Brother
Fred Nii Amugi ...
Pastor
John Arthur ...
Angry Bush Taxi Driver
Grace Nortey ...
Old Witch Woman
Emmary Brown ...
Grandfather
Nataliah Andoh ...
BBC Host
Matthew Mpoke Bigg ...
BBC Correspondent
Nana Mensah ...
Young Girl
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Storyline

Follows the journey of a young boy, Agu, who is forced to join a group of soldiers in Nigeria, a West African country. While Agu fears his commander and many of the men around him, his fledgling childhood has been brutally shattered by the war raging through his country, and he is at first torn between conflicting revulsion and fascination Depicts the mechanics of war and does not shy away from explicit, visceral detail, and paints a complex, difficult picture of Agu as a child soldier. Written by Bennie Carden

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

Child. Captive. Killer.

Genres:

Drama

Certificate:

Not Rated | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Official Sites:

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

16 October 2015 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Безродные звери  »

Filming Locations:


Box Office

Budget:

$6,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$51,003 (USA) (16 October 2015)

Gross:

$83,861 (USA) (23 October 2015)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Idris Elba played soccer with the young actors and gifted them iPods. See more »

Quotes

Agu: I saw terrible things... and I did terrible things. So if I'm talking to you, it will make me sad and it will make you too sad. In this life... I just want to be happy in this life. If I'm telling this to you... 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.
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Soundtracks

By The Kiss
by M-83
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Frequently Asked Questions

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User Reviews

 
Not like a baby, like an old man
15 October 2015 | by (Dallas, Texas) – See all my reviews

Greetings again from the darkness. Cary Joji Fukunaga has quickly established himself as an expert storyteller with his previous writing and directing of SIN NOMBRE (2009), JANE EYRE (2011) and the fascinating and conversation-sparking first season of "True Detective" (he did not direct the much-maligned Season Two). He goes even deeper and darker this time by adapting Uzodinma Iweala's novel about a child soldier.

When first we meet Agu, he is but an enterprising and fun-loving kid who thrives on mischief such as trying to sell "Imagination TV" – the empty shell of a console TV, complete with Agu and his buddies acting out scenes for those who peer through the picture tube opening. Agu describes himself as "a good boy from a good family", and we believe him.

Somewhere in Africa is all we know about the location, and soon enough Agu's village is under siege and he is separated from his mother, and forced to stay behind with the men – including his father and big brother. More terror forces Agu alone into the forest until he is brought into a mostly young group of rebel forces led by the Commandant (Idris Elba). It's around this time that Agu begins "talking" to God through voice over narration that allows viewers to understand what's going on inside Agu's head – often quite contrary to what is happening on the outside as he transforms from mischievous kid to dead-eyed child soldier. When Agu stops speaking to God, we understand that he believes he no longer deserves to be heard, but his words to the universe (directed to his mother) let us know, this boy has not yet lost his soul.

Though we never understand the war, or even who is fighting whom, this uncertainty is designed to help us better relate to Agu. He may be a tough-minded soldier, but we also never forget that he is mostly a little boy hoping to re-connect with his mother. Idris Elba plays the Commandant as part father-figure, part war lord, and part cult leader. He is a menacing presence one moment and a soothing voice of reason the next. When we (and Agu) learn the full story of his multiple sides, we are both sickened and disheartened. It's the performances of both Elba and newcomer Abraham Attah (as Agu) that make this such a devastating and fascinating movie to watch, and it's the filmmaking of Fukunaga that keeps our eyes glued to the screen when we would just as soon turn away.


16 of 21 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

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Good, but a bit disappointing. HisBoyElroy2057
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Idris Elba..... joshismvp
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