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

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 39 Critics

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USER SCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 98 Ratings

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4.5

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4.5	User Score Mixed or average reviews based on 98 Ratings

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The First Purge (Trailer 1)

Movie Details & Credits

Universal Pictures | Release Date: July 4, 2018

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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Awards & Rankings

88	#88 Most Discussed Movie of 2018

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Critic Reviews

Washington Post - 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

Consequence of Sound - 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

Los Angeles Times - 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

The New York Times - 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

Original-Cin - 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

IGN - 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

San Francisco Chronicle - 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

Easyman

Jul 31, 2018

This is definitely a movie you shouldn’t take seriously, none of these movies are anyways, but if your looking for a decent horror/thriller flick to watch during the summer I would give it a go or wait til it comes out and watch it digitally, otherwise this movie is definitely for the fansThis is definitely a movie you shouldn’t take seriously, none of these movies are anyways, but if your looking for a decent horror/thriller flick to watch during the summer I would give it a go or wait til it comes out and watch it digitally, otherwise this movie is definitely for the fans of the franchise!!… Expand

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

Armywild

Jul 23, 2018

La película buena, la trama es original, sin embargo pudieron explotar mejor los argumentos del inicio de la purga,el inicio y final muy bien, desarrollo algo lento hasta poder ver acción Así que un 7 es mas que suficiente

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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

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

JLuis_001

Jul 22, 2018

All the films in this franchise have been regular and bad, accept it, face it, don't deny it to me, but there is something I must admit. The first film did had in some way an interesting message. A message that was inevitably lost in the mismanagement of the plot and the story and the needAll the films in this franchise have been regular and bad, accept it, face it, don't deny it to me, but there is something I must admit. The first film did had in some way an interesting message. A message that was inevitably lost in the mismanagement of the plot and the story and the need to carry everything with violence but it's understandable because after all, the plot of the film dealt precisely with violence but it's not necessary for your story to become just that.

The sequels, both the second and the third became something else, changed the scenario and became full-frontal action films and once again we cannot deny that the theme of the stories lent itself precisely for that, but evidently as I just say recently, in action films what becomes predictable also becomes boring and both films were boring, yes they did have action, you could call it entertainment somehow but how long can that last?

This prequel doesn't change anything and in fact it's practically irrelevant that it is a prequel. It's true it offers the origin of the purge but was it necessary? no, it wasn't.
It doesn't let you see anything that was essential or indispensable to understand the other films, therefore it's more of the same, with the same quality and as irrelevant and inconsequential as you can probably imagine.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

Rebecca31

Jul 8, 2018

It's purging season everyone. You've seen the Purge, you've seen the Purge two, you probably haven't seen the Purge three but now it's prequel time so buckle up for the very first Purge. Directed by Gerard McMurray and written by John DeMonaco, the same guy who wrote all the other purgeIt's purging season everyone. You've seen the Purge, you've seen the Purge two, you probably haven't seen the Purge three but now it's prequel time so buckle up for the very first Purge. Directed by Gerard McMurray and written by John DeMonaco, the same guy who wrote all the other purge movies. Also starring a bunch of actors who I'm not bothering to name, it's a purge movie, do you really care who's in it? Crazy, masked, knife wielding psychopaths, innocent victims and the evil corporate suits, yep it's a purge movie alright.

The controversial experiment created by the new founding fathers of America (NFFA) is ready for a trial run in Staten Island. The experiment promises to reduce crime to below 1% for the rest of the year as long as people can release all their anger and rage in one night. Staying on the island for the purge is optional yet the majority simply couldn't afford to leave. On top of that, those who do stay are offered payment and others are strongly encouraged to participate with the promise of even more financial rewards depending on how much they participate. Very much taking advantage of the oppressed and marginalized. Participants must also wear tracking chips and high tech contacts for recording the first purge. They also make the wearer look like zombies, which adds to the horror theme, so bonus. Yet much to the disappointment of the NFFA the purge doesn't have the high level of participation expected at first. But when a whole group of new gangs show up and quickly escalate the purge it becomes apparent that this is more than just a sociological experiment.

Gives everything you expect from a purge movie, extreme violence, violence while wearing masks and an unnecessary amount of jump scares. Although I think most of them came from the same person. One dimensional characters in a mediocre film. When it finally gets going it's entertaining in the moment but very forgettable afterwards. I would say this should put an end to the purge franchise but if there's one thing these low budget horror movies can do successfully it's make a lot of money. Recommended for fans of the purge franchise.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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

5 of 11 users found this helpful56

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