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The First Purge

R Released Jul 4, 2018 1h 37m Action Mystery & Thriller Horror TRAILER for The First Purge: Trailer 1 List
56% Tomatometer 175 Reviews 27% Audience Score 2,500+ Ratings
To push the crime rate below one percent for the rest of the year, the New Founding Fathers of America try a radical sociological experiment that allows citizens to vent their aggression for one night in an isolated community. The idea soon explodes across the nation when the violence of the oppressors meets the rage of the marginalized. Read More Read Less
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The First Purge

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Critics Consensus

The First Purge should satisfy fans of the franchise and filmgoers in the mood for violent vicarious thrills, even if its subtextual reach exceeds its grasp.

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Critics Reviews

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J. R. Jones Chicago Reader Unfortunately the characters are so poorly written that the political provocations hang in the air like birthday balloons. Mar 4, 2020 Full Review Mark Kermode Kermode & Mayo's Film Review It's efficiently done. It's quite grueling. And what I like about it is that central idea... It's solid. Aug 28, 2018 Full Review Simran Hans Observer (UK) The Purge films are B-movies, and so this ultraviolence mostly works, though its social commentary is served a little too rare to stomach easily. Rated: 3/5 Jul 7, 2018 Full Review Aaron Charles InSession Film It is a confused movie for a confusing time. Rated: C May 9, 2024 Full Review Keith Garlington Keith & the Movies Despite its goofiness and inflated sense of relevance, “The First Purge” is serviceable throwaway entertainment....But it’s still not a movie to recommend. It’s more of the same in slightly (and I do mean slightly) different packaging. Rated: 2/5 Aug 20, 2022 Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review Placing its B-movie objectives above its political motivations, The First Purge misses an opportunity to be about something more. Rated: 1.5/4 Mar 11, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Dan R One of my favourite genres of films are those that look into dystopian worlds and futures. Recently I realised I'd never seen all of the films within 'The Purge' franchise, so with that in mind I decided to check into the bloody and unforgiving universe that these films live in. In chronological order within the universe: 'The First Purge' (2018) This film sets out how the Founding Fathers took control of America and their implementation of the first Purge in the small, impoverished, area of Staten Island. The true reasons behind The Purge are revealed here and it's a lot darker than we'd ever expect. This information serves us well for the rest of the franchise. (8/10) 'The Purge' (2013) The original film feels a lot smaller in scale as it takes place within one household rather than a sprawling city scape. However, this is probably the best acted film within the franchise with Ethan Hawke putting in an exceptional performance. You'll probably never look at your neighbours the same way again after this. (8/10) 'The Purge: Anarchy' (2014) Anarchy by name and it's anarchy by nature as Frank Grillo's character heads out for revenge on Purge night, but gets caught up in something more visceral. This film drives the franchise forward and sets up characters and scenarios that'll appear later in this universe. (7/10) 'The Purge: Election Year' (2016) Grillo's character returns but this time as a secret service agent who's assigned the task of keeping a Presidential candidate alive during The Purge. The corruption of the Government is revealed as they change the rules of The Purge so they can remain in power. It's an intriguing look at how power corrupts absolutely. It's a bloody escapade of survival and redemption. (8/10) 'The Forever Purge' (2021) This film shows America in complete chaos after 8 Purge free years, but with The Purge now returning after an election win for the Founding Fathers. As The Purge ends people rebel and act against immigrants and the rich. 'The Forever Purge' really highlights societal issues going on presently in America. The film's strengths really stand in its strong cast and a visceral rip-roarer of a story. It's a great way to end the franchise even though it appears we'll now get further films. (8/10) Overall this is a great franchise which also spawned an Amazon Prime TV series. It's certainly a universe I'd like to see more of in the future. It's very raw in its vision, delivery and philosophy. Make it happen Hollywood. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/06/24 Full Review Gaming U Dimitri is a god. Only reason this movie gets 5 stars Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/20/24 Full Review Audience Member Horrible. Really bad. Boring. Honestly I couldn’t care less who lives or dies Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 01/23/24 Full Review Kendrah S The absolutely ridiculous "We mexicans leave messages for each other" cringe was the icing on the cake. The concept of The Purge could have so much potential if sequels keep getting greenlit, but they need to invest in good dialogue. Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 01/16/24 Full Review Yash B Leave it to the "Purge" franchise to take yet another good idea and make it mediocre. "The First Purge" decides to go the prequel route which could have been interesting, but it just gets boring and repetitive at a point. There is some solid action and even some thrills but the movie sadly is another entry that solidifies this franchise as wasted potential. I really don't see what makes these movies so popular, because they keep making more, which means people watch them. Overall, if you like these movies, maybe you'll like this one, but if you're like me and feel indifferent, this one probably won't win you over. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/03/24 Full Review Thomas M The direction they went with this installment was terrible. Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 01/03/24 Full Review Read all reviews
The First Purge

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Cast & Crew

The First Purge

The First Purge: Official Clip - The Last Stand The First Purge: Official Clip - The Last Stand 2:39 The First Purge: Official Clip - I Got Your Sister The First Purge: Official Clip - I Got Your Sister 2:14 The First Purge: Official Clip - Viral Violence The First Purge: Official Clip - Viral Violence 1:36 The First Purge: Official Clip - A Dance With Death The First Purge: Official Clip - A Dance With Death 3:03 The First Purge: Official Clip - Stairway To Hell The First Purge: Official Clip - Stairway To Hell 1:48 The First Purge: Official Clip - The Devil at the Door The First Purge: Official Clip - The Devil at the Door 2:22 The First Purge: Official Clip - Star Spangled Murder The First Purge: Official Clip - Star Spangled Murder 1:50 The First Purge: Official Clip - Fire Fight The First Purge: Official Clip - Fire Fight 0:49 The First Purge: Official Clip - Drone Strike The First Purge: Official Clip - Drone Strike 1:37 The First Purge: Official Clip - Taking Back The Streets The First Purge: Official Clip - Taking Back The Streets 3:01 View more videos
The Purge: Election Year 55% 48% The Purge: Election Year TRAILER for The Purge: Election Year The Forever Purge 49% 78% The Forever Purge TRAILER for The Forever Purge The Purge: Anarchy 58% 56% The Purge: Anarchy The Belko Experiment 54% 40% The Belko Experiment TRAILER for The Belko Experiment Overlord 82% 67% Overlord TRAILER for Overlord Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

Synopsis To push the crime rate below one percent for the rest of the year, the New Founding Fathers of America try a radical sociological experiment that allows citizens to vent their aggression for one night in an isolated community. The idea soon explodes across the nation when the violence of the oppressors meets the rage of the marginalized.
Director
Gerard McMurray
Producer
Jason Blum, Michael Bay, Andrew Form, Brad Fuller, Sebastien K. Lemercier
Screenwriter
James DeMonaco
Distributor
Universal Pictures
Production Co
Blumhouse Productions, Platinum Dunes, Perfect World Pictures
Rating
R (Pervasive Language|Drug Use|Some Sexuality|Strong Disturbing Violence)
Genre
Action, Mystery & Thriller, Horror
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 4, 2018, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 18, 2018
Box Office (Gross USA)
$68.9M
Runtime
1h 37m
Sound Mix
Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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