Beasts of No Nation

Agu is introduced as a joyful pre-teen boy, relishing the simple pleasures of barefoot play with his friends in a charming African village. Despite the village's peaceful atmosphere, there are whispers of impending war that cast a shadow over his idyllic life.

Agu lives in a loving Christian household accompanied by his father, mother, teenage brother, senile grandfather, and an infant sister. The family shares a strong bond filled with laughter and joy, fostering a sense of security amid the chaos surrounding them.

As the threat of civil war looms closer, the villagers make the difficult decision to evacuate women and children to the capital for safety. The urgency of the situation rises, and amidst the confusion, Agu is accidentally left behind as the vehicles depart.

Shortly after the evacuation, government troops invade Agu's village, unleashing chaos and panic. The men and boys of the village attempt to hide but are discovered, leading to an enraged Sergeant accusing them of treason and ordering their execution.

Amid the mayhem of the invasion, Agu witnesses the horrific deaths of his father and brother. Despite the traumatic events, Agu manages to escape into the thick forest, beginning his traumatic journey of survival.

As Agu wanders through the wilderness, his hunger and despair lead him to be captured by a gang of armed boys carrying machetes and AK-47s. The gang's leader, known as Commandant, takes Agu under his wing, introducing him to a new, harsh reality.

Agu finds himself assimilated into the gang's battalion, initially serving as a carrier tasked with transporting an ammo box. He endures brutal indoctrination, learning to fight and commit violent acts alongside another boy, Strika, who forms a silent bond with him.

During their first significant mission, Agu and the battalion successfully ambush a convoy at a bridge. After the violence, Agu is forced to strip the deceased of their valuables, marking his descent into complicity in the brutality of war.

Agu's transformation into a combatant is solidified when he is presented with a captured survivor and ordered to kill him by the Commandant. Hesitant initially, Agu succumbs to the pressure and commits the act, haunted by guilt but feeling the weight of the command.

Struggling to cope with the traumatic experiences around him, Agu begins to resort to drug use to numb his feelings of guilt and regret. This addiction becomes a mechanism to escape the harsh reality of his life as a child soldier.

The Commandant receives news of his promotion to Deputy Security Chief, but he perceives it as a demotion instead, fixated on financial gain. This moment exposes the Commandant's priorities and further complicates the boys’ perception of their mission.

During a last night of revelry at a brothel, things take a sorrowful turn when the 2-I-C, a trusted figure in the battalion, is shot. The incident forces the group into an urgent escape, highlighting the volatility of their existence.

While hiding deeper in the bush, Strika suffers significant injuries during their retreat, and despite Agu's desperate attempts to help him, Strika dies. The group mourns briefly before covering him with leaves, a solemn reminder of their brutal reality.

The status quo for Agu and the remaining boys changes drastically when a UN force intervenes, disarming and capturing the disheveled teens. This pivotal moment marks the end of their harrowing journey as child soldiers.

Agu is sent to a healing camp by the ocean where he begins his journey of recovery, surrounded by other children. Engaging in playful activities like soccer and swimming, he slowly opens up to a social worker, taking the first steps towards healing and a renewed life.