The Purge

R

Released Jun 7, 2013

1 hr. 25 min.

Mystery & Thriller

Horror

List

41%

158 Reviews

Tomatometer

36%

50,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

In an America ravaged by crime and overcrowded prisons, the government sanctions an annual 12-hour period during which all criminal activity -- including murder -- is legal. James Sandin (Ethan Hawke) and his family face the ultimate test when an intruder drags the vicious outside world into their home. James, Mary (Lena Headey) and their two children struggle to survive the night while trying not to turn into monsters like the ones they are striving to avoid.

Read More

Read Less

Watch on Fandango at Home

Premiered Jan 16

Buy Now

Fandango at Home

Prime Video

Apple TV

Rent The Purge on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV, or buy it on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV.

Critics Consensus

Half social allegory, half home-invasion thriller, The Purge attempts to make an intelligent point, but ultimately devolves into numbing violence and tired clichés.

Read Critics Reviews

Anthony

Perhaps in 2013, it was a good movie but watching it with today's standards, this movie felt like it didn't have the same edge to it.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/24

Full Review

Platty the Perrypus W

I'm tired of all these "fall of America" movies. Yes, the country is heavily flawed, but we're not monsters...

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

04/06/24

Full Review

R B

Horror flick that spawned a franchise. Terrorifies people into leaving bad reviews.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/29/24

Full Review

Nawt W

The movie's setting stands out in comparison to its uninspiring home invasion storyline, resulting in the birth of a lucrative franchise. However, this installment fails to meet expectations and feels underwhelming and unremarkable, particularly given its budget of $3 million.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/28/24

Full Review

Archi S

If you're feeling especially silly (like we all sometimes do), then The Purge is fun, violent and meaningless entertainment... but it's just that.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/27/24

Full Review

Estuard F

Buena franquicia de suspenso lleno del lado oscuro de estados unidos

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/27/24

Full Review

Read all reviews

Post a rating

James DeMonaco

Director

Ethan Hawke

James Sandin

Lena Headey

Mary Sandin

Adelaide Kane

Zoey Sandin

Max Burkholder

Charlie Sandin

Edwin Hodge

Bloody Stranger

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

The Purge: Official Clip - Home Invasion

2:12

The Purge: Official Clip - James Fights Back

2:42

The Purge: Official Clip - Time for Lockdown

2:42

The Purge: Official Clip - I'd Like to Have a Word

1:58

The Purge: Official Clip - No More Killing Tonight

2:00

The Purge: Official Clip - Thank You for Your Sacrifice

2:18

The Purge: Official Clip - Please Just Let Us Purge

2:46

The Purge: Official Clip - No One Was Helping

2:04

The Purge: Official Clip - You Are Going to Die Tonight

2:24

The Purge: Official Clip - The Freaks Are Coming In

2:53

View more videos

58%

56%

The Purge: Anarchy

23%

34%

Paranormal Activity 4

63%

62%

Sinister

TRAILER

for Sinister

14%

31%

Sinister 2

40%

34%

Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones

TRAILER

for Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

An Oral History of the Purge Movies with Jason Blum and James DeMonaco

Terror Stalks the Outback in Wolf Creek Season 2 Teaser Debut

The Purge TV Series Exclusive Trailer Debut

View more photos

Sarah Marshall

Bitch Media

For all its willingness to serve the viewer generous dollops of violence, noise, and terror, The Purge is oddly lacking in energy.

Feb 11, 2021

Full Review

Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

... though the film struggles to flesh out this rather Dystopian concept (something nearly every futuristic film has these days), it succeeds in its gripping suspense and romantic eye for violence.

Rated: C+

Sep 7, 2017

Full Review

Larushka Ivan-Zadeh

metro.co.uk

An entertaining and deeply unsettling premonition of the state the US's obsession with guns may leave it in.

Rated: 3/5

Sep 5, 2017

Full Review

Patrick Cavanaugh

The Wolfman Cometh

Introduces an entirely fresh and interesting premise and universe, only to completely squander that potential with a generic home-invasion thriller.

Rated: 2/5

Sep 20, 2023

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Whereas DeMonaco tries to say something is deeply wrong with a society that needs to purge its violent impulses, it’s unsettling to sit in a crowd that completely misses the point.

Rated: 1.5/4

Sep 6, 2022

Full Review

Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

“The Purge” is never boring and it does create some frights and intensity..

Rated: 2.5/5

Aug 24, 2022

Full Review

Read all reviews

Synopsis

In an America ravaged by crime and overcrowded prisons, the government sanctions an annual 12-hour period during which all criminal activity -- including murder -- is legal. James Sandin (Ethan Hawke) and his family face the ultimate test when an intruder drags the vicious outside world into their home. James, Mary (Lena Headey) and their two children struggle to survive the night while trying not to turn into monsters like the ones they are striving to avoid.

Director: James DeMonaco
Screenwriter: James DeMonaco
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Platinum Dunes, Why Not Productions, Blumhouse
Rating: R (Strong Disturbing Violence|Some Language)
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Horror
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 7, 2013, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 24, 2013
Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby SRD, DTS

Most Popular at Home Now