Probably one of the most boring and unoriginal thrillers we’ve seen in years, The Purge makes you want to do exactly just that. A supposed morality piece about the state of violence in America, everything about this thriller rings false. From Ethan Hawke’s semi-heroic turn as a steadfast family man who will do anything to protect his wife and kids to a truly ridiculous premise, the film is unredeemable.

The year is 2022. America has never been in a better shape with unemployment rate at only one percent and violence is minimal. To keep everything in its place, the government has sanctioned an annual “Purge” night where any form of crime and murder is legal. Their point: Kill off the country’s non-contributors to the economy and the country will further prosper. The film’s main thread centers on security salesman James Sandin (Ethan Hawke) and his pretty, precious wife Mary (Lena Heady), whom together with son Charlie (Max Burkholder) and daughter Zooey (Adelaide Kane), lead an idyllic suburban life. But all that is about to change when Charlie accidentally lets a homeless black man (Edwin Hodge) into their house during a “Purge” night. Mistaken for protecting the helpless man, the Sandins become the victims of the annual “Purgers” as they threaten bloodbath and mayhem if the latter is not surrendered. Needless to say, James decides to take matter into his own hands and fight the morally corrupt.

Unlike Michael Haneke’s Funny Games which subverts violence, The Purge only encourages it. The plot is so flawed from the get go that its snail-paced proceedings (shocking) make it extremely excruciating to watch. The most exciting bit is seeing Hawke wielding an axe but even then, that’s towards the film’s final 10 minutes. The rest of it? Killers in scary masks making threats and running around, Mary and Zooey crying their eyes out and other predictable shenanigans. Oh, and did we mention that the acting’s terrible and the film borderline racist? You’re better off hiding at home.

 

Author: 
Terry Ong
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Opening Date: 
Thursday, August 29, 2013
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The Purge
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Running Time: 
1 hr. 25 min.
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