Idris Elba, meanwhile, is chillingly charismatic as the Commandant. His character's impassioned speeches rightfully inspire his very young followers, to the point that even we as viewers might believe what he says. But as the Commandant moves his troops from site to site, it becomes clear that he too has insecurities about their never-ending rebellion. In some ways, this story is not just about the children who fight, but the grown men who lead them. And in this case, they're not as all-knowing and powerful as they think they are.As brutal as Beasts of No Nation is, the set-pieces are exhilarating and, at times, hauntingly beautiful. The film also has moments of true artistry, thanks to Fukunaga's inspired cinematography. The filmmaker is renowned for his impressive long take in True Detective: Season 1, and there are similar technical achievements in this. The most striking image comes late in the film when Agu trudges through a muddy, labyrinthian trench and passes by numerous dead bodies without a second glance. It's a nonessential moment in the story, but it perfectly illustrates Agu's desensitization to violence.
That said, Beasts of No Nation isn't without its flaws. For example, an extended leave at one of the rebel bases goes on longer than it needs to, especially for what it's trying to say about the Commandant's rank and authority. As a result, the focus gets a little hazy in the second half, and the ending feels abrupt in its attempt to catch up with itself. Part of that could have something to do with the book being adapted to fit a feature-length film, although I can't be certain since I haven't read it.Regardless, Beasts of No Nation accomplishes what it sets out to do; it exposes the horrors of children fighting in war, and it asks the tough questions that surround that issue, and it does so in a compelling way. In the end, the film is definitely worth checking out -- and, let's face it, a free watch on Netflix is hard to beat.
