Beasts Of No Nation , film review: Netflix's first original movie is a powerful tale on African child soldiers

Idris Elba gives an intriguing performance, egotistical and unexpectedly tender

Cary Fukunaga made Beasts of No Nation as a feature film but its time in cinemas will be limited given that Netflix owns the distribution rights. It’s a powerful tale of lost innocence, albeit sometimes heavy-handed in its depiction of the plight of African child soldiers.

Abraham Attah is engaging as Agu, a kid whose village life is destroyed in a civil war. As he ends up in a rag-tag army led by Idris Elba’s Commandant, Agu is confronted with violence – and forced to participate. Elba gives an intriguing performance, egotistical and unexpectedly tender. The film has an epic feel – which is why it is a pity that it is being given only limited theatrical play.

Cary Joji Fukunaga, 136 mins Starring: Idris Elba, Abraham Attah, Ama K Abebrese