Review of The Purge (2013) by Sarfaraz A — 18 Jul 2014

The Purge - thriller film (although considered horror - I don't think it qualifies for the horror) - written and directed by James DeMonaco. Starring Ethan Hawke. The film was made over budget of $3 million, bringing home $89,328,627. It was premiered at Stanley Film Festival.

Set in 2022 (USA) the US government's new Founding Fathers have come up with new entity 'The Purge'. The Purge is authorized to carry-out 'killings', 'rape', 'burglary' and 'stealing', one night of the each year from 7pm to 7am. 911 is unavailable to answer, and so are other emergency helplines.

The main victims of the purge are 'homeless' and 'poor' people, to unburden U.S. government from taking after them. This according to the news, has decreased 'crime' and flourishing of 'economy'. An exception is for high-ranking officials who are barred from being attacked by The Purge - however if these officials intervene in their mission, they're eligible to be eliminated.

Ethan is a salesman for security-system provider, living in lavish suburb of Los Angeles, where he has also helped his neighborhood with security system. Ethan's family include his warm-hearted wife, a daughter who's been romancing with a boy-next-door, as well as a son-who's fond of working on gadgets. As the time nears to 7pm, Ethan activates the security-system with full monitoring-cameras at his front door. His children get into heated-talk with him over his support of the purge killing 'homeless and poor' guys.

Ethan's son Charlie de-activates security-system after spotting a hapless black young man crying outside in the neighborhood - as soon as Ethan overhears the alarm, he arrives into the security-room to re-activate it, not until the boy is actually inside house. Soon we see the purge members arriving outside the house to claim their bait - or face the intrusion for interfering.

They cut the electricity of the house. Ethan, at first does everything to capture the boy - who's been hiding in the house, but just about when he binds him - his consciousness does not allow him to be part of killing-machine.

Film reminded me another controversial film Dog Straw (Dustin Hoffman). I don't know if the plot has been inspired from that film's ending. Looking at elements in the story like 'each year - one night', I can surely say that there are several sequels to come after this (one is already in the process, as I read).

Average acting - about one hour of the film in the beginning escalates thrill. It may not bore you, but anyone can predict the outcome of stories like this - except in case of few scenes, especially at near-ending.