Director: James DeMonaco

Starring: Ethan Hawke, Lena Headey, Edwin Hodge, Tony Oller

“One night a year, all crime is legal.”

A delicious, socially-satirical premise reminiscent of Paul Verhoeven’s dystopian visions isn’t enough to save this dumb, frustrating thriller from it’s many pitfalls.

Set in the year 2020, The Purge follows the story of a regular, affluent family, who barricade themselves in their home in preparation for one government-sanctioned night that legalises all crimes, known colloquially as ‘the purge’. But when their well-intentioned son raises the shutters to provide shelter for a distressed homeless black man, it attracts the unwanted attention of a gang of crazed vigilantes. Continue reading →