Director Alejandro Landes takes viewers on an incredible journey with Monos, a Columbian drama about the lives of teenage soldiers.

Stationed in the vast peaks of an undisclosed location, young recruitments train under strict supervision and are frequently monitored on their work as they isolate a kidnapped American (I, Tonya’s Julianne Nicholson).  Monos doesn’t offer any detail on how, or why, these characters are together, but that’s because the film isn’t about that story.  Instead, the audience witnesses gripping, thematic character pieces on the lost lives of these soldiers and how they are still maturing into adulthood within the bounds of intense circumstances.  Eventually, Monos deals with compromised sanity as the soldiers are left alone to govern their guerrilla platoon.

A literal nod towards Lord of the Flies in the final act is a clear indication of how co-writer/director Landes has been inspired.  However, that’s the only obvious reference in Monos, an otherwise subtle and meticulously layered piece of work.

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Addison Wylie: @AddisonWylie