The First Purge

Name: The First Purge
Genre: Action, Sci-Fi, Thriller, Horror, Crime
Released: July 4, 2018
Duration: 98 min
Rating: 54
Cast: Aaron V. Williamson, Christian Robinson, Chyna Layne, Cloé Xhauflaire, David Breda

2018

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Mixed or average reviews based on 39 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 149 Ratings

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4.7

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4.7	User Score Mixed or average reviews based on 149 Ratings

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The First Purge (Trailer 1)

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Movie Details & Credits

Universal Pictures | Release Date: July 4, 2018 | R

Starring: Aaron V. Williamson, Christian Robinson, Chyna Layne, Cloé Xhauflaire, David Breda, Geoff Schuppert, Jermel Howard, Jessica Bell, John P. McGinty, Joivan Wade, Kristen Solis, Lauren Vélez, Lex Scott Davis, Maria Rivera, Marisa Tomei, Melonie Diaz, Mo, Mugga, Omari Hardwick, Patch Darragh, Qurrat Ann Kadwani, Rotimi, Rotimi Paul, Steve Harris, Y'lan Noel

Movie Facts:

The first three Purge films (The Purge, The Purge: Anarchy, and The Purge: Election Year) made over $215 million in combined domestic box office.

Summary: To push the crime rate below one percent for the rest of the year, the New Founding Fathers of America (NFFA) test a sociological theory that vents aggression for one night in one isolated community. But when the violence of oppressors meets the rage of the marginalized, the contagion will explode from the trial-city borders and spreadTo push the crime rate below one percent for the rest of the year, the New Founding Fathers of America (NFFA) test a sociological theory that vents aggression for one night in one isolated community. But when the violence of oppressors meets the rage of the marginalized, the contagion will explode from the trial-city borders and spread across the nation.… Expand

Director: Gerard McMurray

Genre(s): Action, Sci-Fi, Thriller, Horror, Crime

Rating: R

Runtime: 98 min

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Critic Reviews

Alan Zilberman

Jul 4, 2018

The result is an unabashedly violent B-movie throwback, the sort director John Carpenter used to make, with moments that resonate with real life. Read full review

Randall Colburn

Jul 3, 2018

The First Purge is every bit as nakedly, hysterically symbolic as its predecessors. But if there’s one thing that the current political climate is teaching us, it’s that a subtle touch isn’t always the solution. Read full review

Mark Olsen

Jul 4, 2018

It’s not difficult to decipher where McMurray and DeMonaco’s true allegiances are, but by delivering the story within the framework of genre cinema at its most trashy and garish, the filmmakers convey any message as a bit of rough pleasure amid the kicks and thrills of a movie. Read full review

Jeannette Catsoulis

Jul 3, 2018

Even the most ardent fan could find its bluntness uncomfortably timely: In our build-that-wall moment, a story about a government-sponsored plan to cull poor minorities feels less like political satire than current-affairs commentary. Read full review

Jim Slotek

Jul 5, 2018

The First Purge has a lot of narrative and unsubtle subtext to cram into a movie that’s barely 90 minutes long. In fact, its big, violent finish notwithstanding, a lot of it is quite dull and its pacing inconsistent. Read full review

Nick Romano

Jul 4, 2018

While trying to hit the basic markers that have come to define a Purge film, The First Purge comes up empty when mining real-life tragedies as the backdrop for a summer movie. Read full review

Carla Meyer

Jul 4, 2018

First Purge further lessens the drama by offering a hero and villains too mercenary to care about. Read full review

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User Reviews

dairia

Feb 24, 2019

purge is film where theres bad government that dislikes the poor and wants the rich to become spiteful and disrespect the poor so they can stop giving money to people who can't work or has low wage work.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Miqht

Jul 17, 2018

Believe it or not, this was actually a good film. Let me specify, a good popcorn film. If you are looking for a good time to kill 2 hours this movie is perfect for you, just don't expect anything more from the usual purge film.

2 of 6 users found this helpful24

Dufreshest

Jul 5, 2018

The First Purge: An Elephant On the Table

Cinematography: 5.932/10 It's simple though not compelling. The acting and story are the films strong points. Costume Design: 6.821/10 There's no way to avoid the significance of the outfits parading the streets. There's a balance between theThe First Purge: An Elephant On the Table

Cinematography: 5.932/10 It's simple though not compelling. The acting and story are the films strong points.

Costume Design: 6.821/10 There's no way to avoid the significance of the outfits parading the streets. There's a balance between the Carnivalesque and die-hard Purgers. Yet, what I find more important than the actual costume designs is from where these outfits arrive from and for which purpose each serves.

Film Editing: 6.312/10 Decent. The scenes are set up for its punches; the moments that draw the audience more into the story are set well and make for a more interesting project. Still - not every scene looks pretty and flows well though the acting and story helps elevate the film substantially.

Make-up and Hair-styling: 4.901/10 Some of the people in the actual fights look to be in better condition than the bystanders.

Sound Editing: 7.321/10 The beats with lyrical assistance are set well and engages the audience. Otherwise, there doesn't seem to be much else going on.

Visual Effects: 4.121/10 Seemingly forgotten. A snarky stab at technology.

Story: 8.297/10 The First Purge is mainly compelling due to it's strategically set story, acting - and its punches (check Film Editing). The story presses against drugs and violence within impoverished communities by imbibing them within its core developments. Yet - the story greatly emphasizes seemingly debilitating circumstances are not of the low-income communities themselves but processes of the government which the government has to fix in tandem with communities suffering the effects of government processes the most. I think the actual story has a lot of strong points (more in Personal).

Acting: 7.972/10 The acting elevates and fits the film. Dolores, Mugga, is hilarious: her role is set just right for the film. She's the only character that makes sense looking unscathed throughout the film. The sincerity of the acting is present which gives the film a necessary boost.

Personal: I feel as though the film attempts to reveal covert organizations within America that affect communities of diverse demographics as well as low-income communities. The lack of specificity concerning organizations throughout the film leaves one to speculate them as mercenaries or members wearing attire blatantly representing particular groups in America. Beyond the film reminding me of The Greenwood Encyclopedia of American Institutions: Fraternal organizations by Alvin J. Schmidt, The First Purge sets a firm stance against illegal activities within communities. The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates comes to mind as I watch Joivan Wade interacting with Freddy, Steve Harris, in the film concerning other opportunities available in their neighborhood besides slinging dope. The idea that communities have to help themselves as much as possible even without government assistance is ever present throughout The First Purge though The First Purge emphasizes that government assistance should not damper community growth for monetary gain. The First Purge focuses on sensible matters in a comical way which always finds disruption due to matters plaguing a community capable of existing happily though is unable to due to particularly draining aspects of society like addictions, overdraft fees, corrupt government practices, illicit activities, etc. A very strong subtle point is that illicit activities are already happening (as though certain individuals or organizations live like Purgers everyday though plainly or under the pretense of out-of-sight-out-of-mind) and (these certain individuals or - ) organizations are manipulating media outlets as well as societal behaviors through financial maneuvers to promote their agendas. One might assess The First Purge as overly packed or appropriately scanning: I think it has a lot for one to bring to the table to dissect (though leaves one with a lot of ground work to cover due to the lack of specificity in the film concerning specific types of situations available - like the scene of brutality in a baseball field - the imagery is all one has to procure from).

Overall: 6.459/10

-K.D.

If you're into Poetry and other bits of creativity, check out my Instagram: @Dufreshest.… Expand

1 of 6 users found this helpful15

Panchogul

Jul 18, 2018

Como fan de esta franquicia debo expresar que esta si bien logró divertirme con sus escenas de acción, me decepcionó en todo lo demás, esperaba que plantearan mejor el concepto de la depuración, básicamente es exactamente la misma idea principal de las demás entregas sin mejorar ni añadirComo fan de esta franquicia debo expresar que esta si bien logró divertirme con sus escenas de acción, me decepcionó en todo lo demás, esperaba que plantearan mejor el concepto de la depuración, básicamente es exactamente la misma idea principal de las demás entregas sin mejorar ni añadir ningún detalle nuevo, pese a la originalidad del concepto nuevamente no supieron ejecutarlo bien y termina siendo mas de lo mismo.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

JNOTR

Jul 27, 2018

Loose film with a plot that gave for a better content. The second and third seemed good movies, this is regular. Returns to have the same plot as the previous, forgettable characters and things are explained that did not need a background before. Loose performances, very ridiculous momentsLoose film with a plot that gave for a better content. The second and third seemed good movies, this is regular. Returns to have the same plot as the previous, forgettable characters and things are explained that did not need a background before. Loose performances, very ridiculous moments (drones that shoot) and in the last act happens to be a movie of genre of action in the style of The Rock. I think he has a good start and there are scenes with a very well achieved suspense, but then he totally deviates and loses everything he was doing well. Marissa Tomei wasted. Movie to watch on TV on a Sunday night.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Compi24

Jul 10, 2018

James DeMonaco and Jason Blum bring us this fourth installment in the "Purge" franchise -- "The First Purge" -- a woefully stupid film that makes an unsophisticated attempt at trying something sophisticated; politics. Sociopolitics and horror don't always mix, and this film is no exceptionJames DeMonaco and Jason Blum bring us this fourth installment in the "Purge" franchise -- "The First Purge" -- a woefully stupid film that makes an unsophisticated attempt at trying something sophisticated; politics. Sociopolitics and horror don't always mix, and this film is no exception to that very simple fact. Any and all hopes that the creative team behind this film had to drive home some sort of relatable societal message is completely bogged down by the movie's lack of authenticity, logic, or character depth. And despite a couple of serviceable action scenes here and there, this is a largely forgettable effort.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

masscraft

Jul 15, 2018

Just like the last Purge movie, this is an extremely racially biased liberal hit piece. All the good guys are black or some other minority while all the bad guys are white. They even go so far as to put the white guys in KKK hoods and pseudo-Nazi uniforms this time. The hero’s are a mix ofJust like the last Purge movie, this is an extremely racially biased liberal hit piece. All the good guys are black or some other minority while all the bad guys are white. They even go so far as to put the white guys in KKK hoods and pseudo-Nazi uniforms this time. The hero’s are a mix of brutal gang banger drug dealers "with good hearts" and others "held down by the man". The government that starts the Purge is the NFFA, supported by the NRA, of course. It’s a mountain of sick, twisted liberal garbage at a time when minority employment is at historic lows. Movies like this keep black people on the dependent democratic plantation and do nothing but stir the racial hatred magnified during the Obama regime. Garbage.… Expand

7 of 13 users found this helpful76

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