The Purge

The Purge
Created by	James DeMonaco
Original work	The Purge (2013)
Films and television
Film(s)	The Purge (2013) The Purge: Anarchy (2014) The Purge: Election Year (2016) The First Purge (2018)
Television series	The Purge (2018)
Audio
Original music	Nathan Whitehead(The Purge Trilogy) Kevin Lax(The First Purge,2018)

The Purge is an American dystopian action horror franchise, consisting of four films, The Purge (2013), The Purge: Anarchy (2014), The Purge: Election Year (2016) and The First Purge (2018), and an upcoming television series, also bearing the name The Purge. It is based on a future dystopic America, where every year there is a 12-hour period during which all crime, including murder, is legal. It was created by James DeMonaco, who also wrote all the movies and directed the first three films.

The Purge series has received a generally mixed critical reception, and has grossed over $329 million in the worldwide box office against a combined budget of $37 million.

Films

Film	U.S. release date	Director	Screenwriter(s)	Producer(s)
The Purge	June 7, 2013 (2013-06-07)	James DeMonaco	James DeMonaco	Jason Blum, Michael Bay, Andrew Form, Brad Fuller and Sébastien K. Lemercier
The Purge: Anarchy	July 18, 2014 (2014-07-18)
The Purge: Election Year	July 1, 2016 (2016-07-01)
The First Purge	July 4, 2018 (2018-07-04)	Gerard McMurray

The Purge (2013)

Main article: The Purge

The Purge stars Ethan Hawke, Lena Headey, Max Burkholder, Adelaide Kane, Edwin Hodge, Tony Oller, Rhys Wakefield and Arija Bareikis.

An affluent Los Angeles neighborhood is home to the Sandin family. On Purge night 2022, the family becomes a target of a masked gang of young criminals due to their actions in helping a wounded stranger being targeted by Purgers to take shelter in their home. The sadistic gang leader unmasks himself to threaten the family via the cameras that they would be murdered if they don't surrender the man within an hour. The stranger later helps the Sandins when the purging gang and the hateful neighbors invade the household and attempt to kill them.

Despite mixed reviews, the film grossed $89.3 million during its run, far surpassing its $3 million budget. The film was turned into a scare zone for 2014's annual Halloween Horror Nights due to its success.

The Purge: Anarchy (2014)

Main article: The Purge: Anarchy

The Purge: Anarchy, released worldwide on July 18, 2014, stars Frank Grillo, Carmen Ejogo, Zach Gilford, Kiele Sanchez, Zoë Soul and Michael K. Williams while Edwin Hodge reprises his role of "The Stranger" from the first movie. Unlike the first Purge film, which was set entirely in one house during the carnage, Anarchy takes viewers out to the Los Angeles area and shows more of what happens to the surroundings during the Purge.

Off-duty Los Angeles Police Department sergeant Leo Barnes purges to avenge his son's death and becomes the protector of a married couple whose car breaks down on the Purge's commencement and a working-class mother and daughter who are kidnapped from their home. Dwayne, the wounded stranger from the first film, is partner of Carmelo Johns, leader of an anti-Purge resistance group that hacks into TV programs to broadcast messages challenging the system, stating that the Purge does not cleanse aggression, but rather eliminates the poor.

The film was met with generally mixed reviews, though many critics agreed it was a large improvement over the first film, and was a box office success, grossing $111.9 million compared to its $9 million budget.

The Purge: Election Year (2016)

Main article: The Purge: Election Year

The third film was released on July 1, 2016 in which Frank Grillo and Edwin Hodge reprise their roles from the previous film, and are joined by Elizabeth Mitchell, who plays Senator Charlie Roan. On October 6, it was announced that James DeMonaco would be back for the third film to write and direct, while producers Sebastian Lemercier, Blumhouse Productions’ Jason Blum, and Platinum Dunes partners Michael Bay, Brad Fuller, and Andrew Form would also be back. Shooting began on September 16 in Woonsocket, Rhode Island. Edwin Hodge and Frank Grillo reprise their roles from the previous film.

In 2040, LAPD sergeant Leo Barnes is the chief of security for U.S. Senator and leading U.S. presidential candidate Charlie Roan, who vows to end the Purge, having witnessed the death of her family 18 years ago, during the events of the first film. In a bid to prevent this from happening, the NFFA takes the unprecedented step of abolishing the protection afforded to government officials of ranking 10, allowing the U.S. public to target all government officials for the first time since the purge's creation. After a betrayal within the government targets her for death minutes after the Purge's commencement, Barnes must protect Roan while on the run for safety until they meet and form an alliance with some of her supporters; two shopkeepers, an EMT, and an anti-Purge rebel team headed by the wounded Stranger from the first two films, Dwayne, who has assumed the alias Dante Bishop. The group are also aided by the notorious Crips gang to avoid an NFFA-loyal neo-Nazi/white supremacist paramilitary team from capturing the senator. Meanwhile, the NFFA candidate and Roan's rival, Minister Edwidge Owens, who has been set up as a candidate to maintain the status quo, leads the NFFA in committing more acts of violence during Purge night as rebels try to protect more citizens.

The First Purge (2018)

Main article: The First Purge

In September 2016, James DeMonaco, who wrote and directed every film in the series thus far, stated that the fourth The First Purge film would be a prequel to the trilogy. The film shows how the United States got to the point of accepting the Purge.

In February 2017, DeMonaco announced that a fourth installment is in development at Universal Studios. DeMonaco will return to write the script, while Jason Blum from Blumhouse Productions and Michael Bay, Brad Fuller, and Andrew Form from Platinum Dunes will return to produce the film with Sébastien K. Lemercier. The film was released on July 4, 2018. In July 2017 it was announced that Gerard McMurray is signed to direct the film, and shooting began in September 2017 in Buffalo, New York.

Television series

The Purge

Main article: The Purge (TV series)

A television series about the formation of the Purge is also hinted by DeMonaco. The series would possibly deal with how the New Founding Fathers were voted to office after overthrowing the U.S. Government during an economic collapse and social unrest and how they ratified the 28th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution as well as devising the Purge. In May 2017, it was reported that Syfy and USA Network will premiere the series in 2018. On February 26, 2018, it was announced that Gabriel Chavarria and Jessica Garza were cast as the leads in the upcoming series. Chavarria will portray Miguel, a US Marine who returns home on Purge Night after receiving a cryptic message from his sister, Penelope portrayed by Garza belonging to a Purge worshipping cult and has pledged to become a sacrifice at the will of their charismatic leader forcing Miguel to face the senseless violence on the streets alone in order to protect those he loves most – his family. The series is set to premiere on September 4, 2018.

Plot prologue

In 2014, following an economic collapse and rising social unrest, a political organization named "The New Founding Fathers of America" (NFFA) is formed, overthrows the government, and are voted into office. The organization establishes a new totalitarian government and a police state. In 2016, the NFFA devises a plan to help stabilize American society and later in 2017, the 28th Amendment to the U.S Constitution is ratified. This amendment establishes a 12-hour event known as "The Purge" which would take place from 7:00 in the evening of March 21 to 7:00 in the morning of March 22, wherein all crime including murder becomes legal. Before the Purge begins, the Emergency Broadcast System is activated with rules and a prayer saying "Blessed be our New Founding Fathers and America, a nation reborn" before ending with "May God be with you all".

The rules for the annual Purge are as follows:

• Sirens blare throughout the land to signal the start and end of The Purge.
• All police, fire, and medical emergency services remain unavailable or suspended for the twelve-hour Purge.
• Government officials with "authorization levels" of ranking 10 or higher are granted immunity (revoked in Election Year to legalize the murder of a political opponent).
• Weapons of "Class 4" and below are permitted for use while "Class 5" weaponry (explosive devices such as grenades, rocket launchers, bazookas, etc., weapons of mass destruction, and viral/biological and chemical agents) is prohibited.
• Public hanging is the penalty for violators of any rules.

Below is how the Emergency Broadcast System announces the Purge' commencement in the first two films:

This is not a test.

This is your emergency broadcast system announcing the commencement of the Annual Purge sanctioned by the U.S. Government. Weapons of class 4 and lower have been authorized for use during the Purge. All other weapons are restricted. Government officials of ranking 10 have been granted immunity from the Purge and shall not be harmed. Commencing at the siren, any and all crime, including murder, will be legal for 12 continuous hours. Police, fire, and emergency medical services will be unavailable until tomorrow morning at 7 a.m., when The Purge concludes. Blessed be our New Founding Fathers and America, a nation reborn.

May God be with you all.

— Purge Emergency Broadcast System

In The Purge: Election Year (taking place in 2040), the rule granting immunity to ranking 10 officials is revoked by the NFFA in order to assassinate Roan, a lawyer-turned-senator who has achieved parity in the polls with the NFFA candidate. This was done to prevent her from overturning the 28th Amendment. The line "And for the first time since its inception, no one has been granted special immunity for the Purge. No citizen or group will be exempt" was added to the emergency broadcast in this film.

Below is how the Emergency Alert System announces the Purge's commencement on NOAA Weather Radio:

We interrupt our programming; this is not a test. this is a national emergency. Important instructions will follow.

The Following Message is been Transmitted at the Request of the United States Government. At 6 P. M. Eastern Daylight Time, The commencement of the National Purge has been established to The 28th United States Amendment by the New Founding Fathers of America. This Establishment means that all crimes including murder, arson and theft are legal for 12 Continuous hours from 7 P. M to 7 A. M. Eastern Standard Time. All Weapons of Class 4 and lower are permitted, all other weapons are restricted. All Government Officials of ranking 10 shall not be harmed and have been granted immunity from The Purge. All Emergency Services: Fire, Police and Medical Services will not be Available until The Purge is over. the ones who will not participate should seek shelter. Hide in a room with doors and windows locked. Bring some necessary supplies for your stay. Bring a Battery-Powered Radio to receive News and Information. Do not use the Internet or Telephone, as it may risk your life by finding information to where you are. Do not answer the Door, Shut all Windows, Turn off all Lights and be silent if you're sheltering in place. Stay at your shelter until tomorrow at 7:15 A. M. Eastern Daylight Time. Do not leave for any reason, even picking up other family members, as you maybe too late to find shelter.

This is Emergency Alert System, Blessing our New Founding Fathers, America's nation Reborn and giving this Emergency Notification.

— Purge Emergency Alert System for NOAA Weather Radio

and in 2040:

We interrupt our programming; this is not a test. this is a national emergency. Important instructions will follow.

The Following Message is been Transmitted at the Request of the United States Government. At 6 P. M. Eastern Daylight Time, The commencement of the National Purge has been established to The 28th United States Amendment by the New Founding Fathers of America. This Establishment means that all crimes including murder, arson and theft are legal for 12 Continuous hours from 7 P. M to 7 A. M. Eastern Standard Time. All Weapons of Class 4 and lower are permitted, all other weapons are restricted. for the first time since repealed by the NFFA, All Government Officials shall be harmed and no one has been granted immunity. All Emergency Services: Fire, Police and Medical Services will not be Available until The Purge is over. the ones who will not participate should seek shelter. Hide in a room with doors and windows locked. Bring some necessary supplies for your stay. Bring a Battery-Powered Radio to receive News and Information. Do not use the Internet or Telephone, as it may risk your life by finding information to where you are. Do not answer the Door, Shut all Windows, Turn off all Lights and be silent if you're sheltering in place. Stay at your shelter until tomorrow at 7:15 A. M. Eastern Daylight Time. Do not leave for any reason, even picking up other family members, as you maybe too late to find shelter. If you're are in the vehicle, go to Canada by the Interstate if you can until the Purge is over.

This is Emergency Alert System, Blessing our New Founding Fathers, America's nation Reborn and giving this Emergency Notification.

— Purge Emergency Alert System for NOAA Weather Radio

Within the film series, the Purge has resulted in crime and unemployment rates plummeting to 1% and a strong economy. Although it is thought to be used as an act of catharsis for the U.S. populace, it is actually used as a method of artificial population control, as the unemployed poor in slum neighborhoods as well as some working-class people are usually the main targets; in Election Year, a character notes that sneaking up on a black man on Purge night is a particularly foolish action, suggesting that black people are used to being targets on this night.

Characters

Character	Film
	The Purge	The Purge: Anarchy	The Purge: Election Year	The First Purge
	2013	2014	2016	2018
Purge Emergency Broadcast System	Cindy Robinson
Dwayne “Dante” Bishop The Stranger	Edwin Hodge
James Sandin	Ethan Hawke
Mary Sandin	Lena Headey
Zoey Sandin	Adelaide Kane
Charlie Sandin	Max Burkholder
Polite Stranger	Rhys Wakefield
Grace Ferrin	Arija Bareikis
Sergeant Leo Barnes		Frank Grillo
Eva Sanchez		Carmen Ejogo
Shane		Zach Gilford
Liz		Kiele Sanchez
Cali Sanchez		Zoë Soul
Carmelo Johns		Michael K. Williams	Mentioned
"Big Daddy"		Jack Conley
"Ghoul Face"		Keith Stanfield
Warren Grass		Brandon Keener
Charlene Roan			Elizabeth Mitchell
Joe Dixon			Mykelti Williamson
Marcos			Joseph Julian Soria
Laney Rucker / Le Pequeñe Muerte			Betty Gabriel
Earl Danzinger			Terry Serpico
Minister Edwidge Owens			Kyle Secor
Caleb Warrens			Raymond J. Barry
Harmon James			Christopher James Baker

Reception

Further information on the reception of each film: The Purge § Reception, The Purge: Anarchy § Reception, and The Purge: Election Year § Reception

Box office performance

Film	Release date	Box office gross			Budget	Ref(s)
		North America	Other territories	Worldwide
The Purge	June 7, 2013	$64,473,115	$24,855,512	$89,328,627	$3 million
The Purge: Anarchy	July 18, 2014	$71,962,800	$39,965,565	$111,928,365	$11 million
The Purge: Election Year	July 1, 2016	$79,213,375	$39,374,505	$118,587,880	$10 million
The First Purge	July 4, 2018	$9,305,875		$9,305,875	$13 million
Total		$224,955,165	$104,195,582	$329,150,747	$37 million

Critical and public response

Film	Rotten Tomatoes	Metacritic	CinemaScore
The Purge	38% (145 reviews)	41 (33 reviews)	C
The Purge: Anarchy	56% (130 reviews)	50 (32 reviews)	B
The Purge: Election Year	53% (145 reviews)	55 (31 reviews)	B+
The First Purge	52% (104 reviews)	54 (39 reviews)	B–

See also

• "The Return of the Archons", a 1967 episode of Star Trek that revolves around an event by the "Lawgivers" known as the "Festival", in which violence, destruction, and sexual aggressiveness are allowed for 12 hours.
• Battle Royale, a 2000 Japanese film about a group of junior high schoolers forced to fight to the death by the Japanese government.
• Kronia, an Ancient Greek holiday in which limitations are temporarily lifted.

External links

• Official website
• Official website at Blumhouse Productions' website
• The Purge: Election Year at IMDb
• The Purge: Election Year at Rotten Tomatoes