The Purge is a surprisingly decent speculative thriller, and it combines several genres. When I say speculative fiction generally that is something that is a ‘what if’ type of story. Or at least that’s my definition of that over science fiction or fantasy.

The Purge stars Ethan Hawke, Lena Headley and Edwin Hodge (from Cougar Town)

As with all good science fiction or speculative fiction stories like this it says quite a bit about the human condition. The idea that once a year for 12 hours crime is legal, the issue of class comes in because if you rich you can afford protection a security system to protect your home on that night. but if you’re poor you Can you literally can become the victim of someone else’s anyone else’s desire to purge their hatred, violence or aggressive natures that this purge is supposed to do to have created a United States where there is no crime.

In the movie that’s exactly what happens. Ethan Hawke’s character James Sandin. lives in a gated community that is wealthy and very secure. Made even more so by the fact that he sold everyone in the community their security systems, including his own.

Once the purge hits he activates the security system locking down his home. What he didn’t anticipate was the actions of his two children. I’ll only tell you about one which is his son who’s 12 but something about. Of a genius nerdy, hypochondriac kid who is sensitive to the value of life and is deeply disturbed by the very concept of the purge.

In the Sandlin’s home they have a monitor room where they have cameras positioned outside the property and on the street in front. and the boy is moved by homeless man begging for his life because “they” are after him their sons act of kindness leads to a chain of events that put the entire family in danger. because the rich elite enjoy the purge specifically by preying on the poor and homeless and are not too pleased when he’s shielded from them. when his neighbors descend upon his house, they make their intentions clear.

One of the things that’s very effective about how this film was put together is behind opening credits are series of what are labeled purge feeds which is video captured from security cameras around the US of people committing unspeakable acts of violence. it’s blurry and sometimes green or black & white or washed out color. or from a distance but you can definitely see how horrific the things are that humans are doing to each other, But not details. And because you know the premise of the movie you find yourself waiting for this type of violence to start it creates tension, because your waiting for some character to end up committing the violence they so desperately want to. Ethan

Hawks character and his wife Mary played by Lena Headly’s humanity is truly put to the test, and you have to ask yourself ‘what would you do?” if you were thrust into this type of situation by the country you live in.

The lapses in character logic and motivation are actually quickly forgotten by just how well the drama plays out and the fight sequences are riveting. acting overall is very very good The Purge immerses you into this world without really telling you exactly how you got there and how it is that we became a society that did this, which was really my biggest issue with the film. the press notes say: after years of social unrest, the unemployment rate is now at one percent and the poverty rate consistently stays below five percent. The government as we know it no longer exists, but a new regime,
the New Founders of America (NFA), has solved the vexing issue of dealing with the violent and disenfranchised by sanctioning one night per year when we
may free our id and commit any crime imaginable, free of punishment. The NFA has pushed through and ensured the ratification of the 28th Amendment to codify every American’s right to the annual Purge.

But you don’t really learn that in the film. I will say it takes a number of turns that you may or may not see coming but it does them well and ultimately it’s a very satisfying and decent thriller.

The Purge is clearly a morality play but one well worth sitting through.