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Beasts of No Nation follows Agu (Abraham Attah), a young troublemaker living in a “buffer zone” in an unnamed West-African nation, seemingly untouched by the civil war that rages around it. Agu’s care-free existence for the first fifteen minutes seems too good to be true. This suspicion is soon confirmed as we hear that government forces have entered the buffer zone, and in the ensuing conflict Agu loses his family and his home. Lost in the jungle, he falls into the hands of a rebel group identifying as the Native Defense Force (NDF) headed – in somewhat clichéd style – by a charismatic and enigmatic leader known only as the Commandant (played by the always-powerful Idris Elba). The Commandant spares Agu’s life in exchange for his loyalty and promises vengeance upon the government forces.

Beasts of No Nation is a story of exploitation and one that will be familiar to many. Despite early reservations, Agu embraces his new life as a soldier, living amongst a group of young men and boys forced to fight for their lives. During his initiation ritual, he and his fellow soldiers are forced to stand in front of a firing squad, unflinching, as the triggers are pulled. While it is clear to the viewer that these are blanks, the Commandant explains that the spirits have blessed these young soldiers and spared their lives. This cult-like, ritualistic brainwashing makes for a fearless and cohesive army. The Commandant is a spiritual as much as a military leader, at one point walking into enemy fire to capture a bridge, unarmed. He merely waves a handful of grass in front of him while chanting unintelligible words. This seeming invincibility and patent disregard for the dangers that he faces lead Agu to treat him with sincere reverence. Ultimately, it is upon this reverence which the film turns. The Commandant inspires Agu to sink to the depths of his depravity, and we follow with fascination.

This is the third film from writer-director Cary Joji Fukanaga, best-known as the director of the first season of True Detective. You can see echoes of that work here. Campfire scenes and close-ups of urban and natural landscapes are notably reminiscent of the camera-work in True Detective, though the setting is drastically different. The score serves as a wonderful accompaniment to the film, slipping seamlessly between foreground and background. Beasts of No Nation is a visceral and relentlessly horrifying film that charts one child’s loss of all semblance of innocence. Once seen it won’t be easily forgotten.

Beasts of No Nation is currently available on Netflix.