The Purge Review

The Purge

3 stars out of 4

By Brett Takeshita

The Purge is the little horror film that could. Made on a budget of three million dollars, it earned a remarkable thirty-four million dollars on its opening weekend. What made audiences rush out to see this chilling thriller? I imagine its outrageous yet original premise.

The year is 2022. The economy is thriving, and crime is at an all-time low because of the annual Purge. During a twelve-hour period, all crime and murder is legal. The film is focused upon the Sandin family. James (Ethan Hawke) is a successful businessman who sells security systems to homes specifically for The Purge. His wife, Mary (Lena Headey), is a lovely woman who takes care of their two children, the wild Zoey (Adelaide Kane) and the introverted Charlie (Max Burkholder). The film takes place on the night of The Purge. Just like every other year, the family locks down its home and waits for the bloody event to end. However, Charlie lets a complete stranger (Edwin Hodge) in their home. A group of crazy, axe-wielding murderers want this stranger's head. The family struggles to come to a decision: whether to let this innocent man die, or to fight for everyone's survival.

It's rare to see a thriller that is smart and thought-provoking. The Purge is one of the few. I was pleased at just how complex the premise is -- it truly makes you think about right and wrong. I kept thinking to myself, "What would I do if I somehow found myself in a morally complex situation like this?" This film explores violence in a completely different light. You are horrified by the concept of The Purge, and yet, you want this family to kill these nasty bloodsuckers destroying their home. James DeMonaco's script is wildly inventive, and even if it doesn't explore dystopian complexities as deeply as it could, it still delivers by means of engaging the audience and causing it to reflect.

DeMonaco is also quite skilled as a director. The Purge is very suspenseful and keeps you on the edge of your seat. DeMonaco uses a wide variety of cameras -- from security cameras to Charlie's traveling camera (which delivers the most shocking, jump scares) -- to give multiple perspectives on the action. What is also impressive is the action sequences. The film turns into a home-invasion thriller during its latter half, and DeMonaco stages the action very well. The fights are well choreographed, and the camera-work is always exciting. DeMonaco sustains suspense, delivers the thrills, and keeps things entertaining simultaneously. These are the signs of a promising horror director.

Like many other horror films, The Purge is filled with characters that aren't thoroughly fleshed out. And of course, they do some things that are pretty stupid -- Charlie, in particular. However, the performances are strong. Ethan Hawke really delivers in making James an honorable, likable family man who struggles to make wise decisions while protecting his loved ones. Rhys Wakefield, as the main killer, is a particular standout. He is unbelievably creepy, yet also very charismatic. It's a small yet chilling performance that deserves praise.

The Purge doesn't reach the stratosphere of dystopian horror, but it is a very strong entry. It's scary and thrilling but also darkly funny. It is entertaining throughout and moves at a swift, engaging pace. Some might be infuriated by the ending, but I found it to be very smart, for it caused me to reflect upon the concept of violence. A sequel to The Purge is already in the works, and I eagerly look forward to it. If it's as good as this installment, then sign me up. Three stars out of four.