The streaming wars have been raging for years now, with every platform and studio racing to produce the best, and the most, original content to rake in as many subscribers as possible. However, back in 2015, this wasn’t the case, with a ‘Netflix Original‘ being a foreign concept. That was until the studio released their first, and still one of their best, original movies.
Based on the novel by Uzodinma Iweala, Beasts of No Nation is a heartbreaking exploration of war and child soldiers and West Africa. The film was written, shot, co-produced, and directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga (No Time to Die) and follows a young boy who is forced into conflict as his country experiences a horrific civil war.
The majority of the film’s cast are cinematic newcomers, with the exception of Idris Elba, who puts in one of his best performances as the terrifying and predatory Commandant of the band of child soldiers. The film is dark, heartbreaking and sadly still relevant. While it is not the typical casual viewing Netflix has become known for, Beasts of No Nation is by far one of Netflix’s best Original films ever, being Nominated for a BAFTA in 2016 and sitting at an impressive 96% on RT.
In contrast to its horrific themes, Beasts of No Nation is a beautifully shot film, showcasing the vibrant, occasionally surreal, imagery Fukunaga would go on to perfect in his 2018 Netflix series Maniac starring Jonah Hill (21 Jump Street) and Emma Stone (La La Land).
You can watch the full trailer below:
