The Purge (2013)

A wealthy family is held hostage for harboring the target of a murderous syndicate during the Purge, a 12-hour period in which any and all crime is legal.

Director:

James DeMonaco

Writer:

James DeMonaco

Stars:

Ethan Hawke, Lena Headey, Max Burkholder

2 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Ethan Hawke	...	James Sandin
Lena Headey	...	Mary Sandin
Max Burkholder	...	Charlie Sandin
Adelaide Kane	...	Zoey Sandin
Edwin Hodge	...	Bloody Stranger
Rhys Wakefield	...	Polite Leader
Tony Oller	...	Henry
Arija Bareikis	...	Mrs. Grace Ferrin
Tom Yi	...	Mr. Cali
Chris Mulkey	...	Mr. Halverson
Tisha French	...	Mrs. Halverson
Dana Bunch	...	Mr. Ferrin
Peter Gvozdas	...	Dr. Peter Buynak
John Weselcouch	...	Freak Interrupting
Alicia Vela-Bailey	...	Female Freak

Storyline

In an America wracked by crime and overcrowded prisons, the government has sanctioned an annual 12-hour period in which any and all criminal activity-including murder-becomes legal. The police can't be called. Hospitals suspend help. It's one night when the citizenry regulates itself without thought of punishment. On this night plagued by violence and an epidemic of crime, one family wrestles with the decision of who they will become when a stranger comes knocking. When an intruder breaks into James Sandin's (Ethan Hawke) gated community during the yearly lockdown, he begins a sequence of events that threatens to tear a family apart. Now, it is up to James, his wife, Mary (Lena Headey), and their kids to make it through the night without turning into the monsters from whom they hide.

---

Plot Keywords:

violence | one night | killing spree | class differences | knife | 

---

Taglines:

If on one night every year, you could commit any crime without facing consequences, what would you do?

---

Genres:

Horror | Thriller

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong disturbing violence and some language

Did You Know?

Trivia

James DeMonaco, director and writer of the film, got the idea for the story after his wife made a remark about an episode he had with road rage.

---

Goofs

When James Sandin picks up a billiards ball to hit the purger with, it is yellow, however, when the ball makes contact with the purger's head in the next shot, it is red.

---

Quotes

James Sandin: Tonight allows people a release for all the hatred and violence that they keep up inside them.
Charlie Sandin: Why don't you guys kill someone tonight?
James Sandin: Because we don't feel the need to, Charlie.

---

Connections

Followed by The Forever Purge

---

Soundtracks

Is 'e an Aussie, Is 'e Lizzie?
Written by B.C. Hilliam
Performed by B.C. Hilliam (as Mr. Flotsam) and Malcolm 'Mr. Jetsam' McEachern (as Mr. Jetsam)
Courtesy of JSP Records
Published by EMI Blackwood Music, Inc. (BMI)

User Reviews

The most selfish family

The protagonist, would have been better without his family. The movie shows irrational and illogical decisions by the protagonist's family members, it displays what happens when you pamper your family too much. You can predict the protagonist's fate as soon as you go through the family member's, A dimwit son without a speck of apology, making suicidal decisions in cold blood. A prostitute for a daughter, anchoring him down. A foolish wife, shadowing her children's faults and blaming it all onto her husband. His family has some kind of problem as to why he earns money or why their life is so smooth and prefect. The protagonist's blood for crocodile tears.

Concluding, this movie is solely to speculate what kind of family the protagonist had and what goes through their head to make decisions they make. Overall, a good movie, says more about bad relations than the purge itself.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook

Country:

USA France

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 June 2013 (USA)

Also Known As:

Vigilandia

Filming Locations:

Chatsworth, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$3,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$34,058,360, 9 June 2013

Gross USA:

$64,473,115

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$89,328,627

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures, Platinum Dunes, Blumhouse Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital Dolby Atmos Dolby Surround 7.1

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1