The traditional model of promoting a film is slowly becoming a thing of the past as the rise of films premiere on streaming services such as Netflix. This opportunity is unlike any before, directors now have the choice to either shop the film to different studios who then may ask to make a change or you can go directly to Netflix with all creative control. Well, I’m happy to say, Chris Robinson, director of new Netflix movie “Beats” chooses the latter. “Beats” is a film that brings notice to the escalating violence in the streets of Chicago, while other films and series have done the same like Lena Waithe’s “The Chi” or Spike Lee’s “Chi-Raq.” As “the ultimate ode to Chicago’s South Side,” this film shines a light on the devastating effects of gang violence and tells the story of to have a family can come to grips with losing a loved one.

A teenage music prodigy August Monroe (Khalil Everage) was involved in a gang shooting leaving him traumatized and older sister died, directly following his actions of urinating on a wall tagged by a rival gang. Eighteen months later, August becomes secluded to a cramped apartment sitting in front of his sampler and keyboard, crafting hip-hop beats and hooks, as he did with his sister.  

He would later form an unlikely friendship with a struggling producer Romelo Reese (Anthony Anderson) who’s now a security guard at August’s high schools when his estranged wife, Vanessa (Emayatzy Corinealdi), a school administrator, asks him to track down no-show students. Once arriving at August’s door he hears the beats through the walls, stirring memories of his former life as a music producer and manager. He knows talent when he hears it and August has it.

August Monroe (Khalil Everage)

Their first encounter didn’t go over very well, Romelo snuck into August room to compliment him on the beats by patting him on the back. August immediately has a panic attack seeing an unfamiliar face in his safe space his mother, Carla (Uzo Aduba) had to calm him down and kicked Romelo out of their house. The persistent of Romelo eventually grew on August as the two united by their mutual love of hip-hop, they try to free each other from the demons of their past and break into the city’s music scene.

August, His love interest Niyah (Ashley Jackson), and Romelo Reese (Anthony Anderson)

The film itself puts the microscope on how people can be negatively affected by gang violence, August who was directly involved and watching a loved one died and being shot himself formed PTSD ( Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) symptoms, the fear of leaving his home, big crowds, and loud noises. His Mother Carla was an overprotective parent who didn’t want to lose another child, in turn, she became an enabler to August’s PTSD. Without the help of an outside force like Romelo pushing August to come out of the house and go after what he wants, his journey to normalcy would have never happened. The underlying meaning of the film is that sometimes it takes one person to push you towards the greatness they see in you.

“Beats” is available to stream on Netflix now.