The Purge

Name: The Purge
Genre: Sci-Fi, Thriller, Horror
Released: June 7, 2013
Duration: 85 min
Rating: 41

2013

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Mixed or average reviews based on 33 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 555 Ratings

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5.4	User Score Mixed or average reviews based on 555 Ratings

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The Purge

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Movie Details & Credits

Universal Pictures | Release Date: June 7, 2013 | R

Summary: In a future America devastated by crime and overcrowded prisons, the government provides a 12-hour period once a year when all criminal activity (including murder) is legal. A man attempts to protect his family from an intruder during one such period.

Director: James DeMonaco

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

Rating: R

Runtime: 85 min

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Critic Reviews

The Playlist Drew Taylor

Jun 4, 2013

The Purge manages to be smart, scary, and subversive. Read full review

Chris Nashawaty

Jun 5, 2013

The Purge clearly has a lot on its mind, but it never really manages to express it. Read full review

Neil Young

Jun 1, 2013

What should be a clammy exercise in claustrophobic, queasy tension becomes, in the hands of writer/director James DeMonaco, an underpowered compendium of over-familiar scare tactics and sledgehammer-subtle social satire. Read full review

Rick Groen

Jun 6, 2013

So, fans, gear up for rock-em-sock-em action, yet don’t be disappointed if much of the goonery seems a bit tepid and, dare I say, staged. Read full review

The Guardian Mike McCahill

May 31, 2013

The film doesn't develop its one good idea so much as stumble around in the dark with it for 85 minutes, crashing noisily into the furniture. Read full review

RogerEbert.com Simon Abrams

Jun 7, 2013

Instead of being a creepy B-movie about the necessity of suppressing one's animalistic urges, The Purge is just an uninspired film. Read full review

Kerry Lengel

Jun 6, 2013

The Purge is one of those unimaginative horror flicks that depend on skreeky music and sudden appearances to startle, but never actually frighten, the audience. The characters are undeveloped, the twists clumsily telegraphed and unsurprising. Read full review

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User Reviews

Kronos362

Oct 10, 2013

I don't feel that the low user score is warranted. The movie deserves an 8/10 for originality alone. A great concept with some really quality acting, I thoroughly enjoyed this movie which leans more towards the more extreme portions of the human condition but is nonetheless a thoroughlyI don't feel that the low user score is warranted. The movie deserves an 8/10 for originality alone. A great concept with some really quality acting, I thoroughly enjoyed this movie which leans more towards the more extreme portions of the human condition but is nonetheless a thoroughly entertaining flick (unless you're a pacifist or bleeding heart liberal) which is certainly worth a watch… Expand

3 of 11 users found this helpful38

mds03

Jun 17, 2013

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. In my opinion, The Purge is the best home invasion movie ever made. It has such an original and thrilling plot compared to most horror movies these days. I really don't understand why most critics don't like this film. If you want to see this movie, see it and don't listen to the negative reviews because in my opinion they are all wrong. If you want thrills or if you want to be creeped out this is the movie for you. Warning: Spoilers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't wait until The Purge 2!!!!!!!!!!!!!… Expand

2 of 5 users found this helpful23

WarpViper

Feb 21, 2019

The Purge is a entertaining watch. It has interesting characters and an interesting concept. I think that the negative reviews aren't justified, but it's nothing amazing, either.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

smk123

Jul 5, 2013

It's a shame that such an intriguing concept (The idea of the titular 'Purge') is wasted on such a dull plot which follows a dull, unrelatable family defend their home from a group of random strangers, its biggest mistake is giving us no background to the bad guys, it's hard to beIt's a shame that such an intriguing concept (The idea of the titular 'Purge') is wasted on such a dull plot which follows a dull, unrelatable family defend their home from a group of random strangers, its biggest mistake is giving us no background to the bad guys, it's hard to be intimidated by an antagonist who appears from seemingly nowhere. It also fails in being a thriller, the film just isn't tense. However as previously stated I love the idea of 'The Purge' and a future sequel could potentially be a much better watch. TL:DR; wait for it to come to TV, as mediocre as they come… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

mijxero

Feb 25, 2014

I really liked this original idea that surrounded the whole movie. I was excited for the Purge to happen in the movie and once it started I was underwhelmed and just angered by stupid decisions one after another. I know movies need characters to make "mistakes" to progress the plot butI really liked this original idea that surrounded the whole movie. I was excited for the Purge to happen in the movie and once it started I was underwhelmed and just angered by stupid decisions one after another. I know movies need characters to make "mistakes" to progress the plot but there were so many that after halfway I was just left aggravated. I think this movie was okay, it is worth a rent and the idea was awesome so I hope a sequel can fix the mistakes. Just felt it could have been much better.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

reviewfrom19842

Dec 25, 2016

A stupid movie that thinks it's saying something smart but it just a really stupid movie. The kids in the movie are idiots. This movie is cliché boring movie.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

nativeabraham

Aug 2, 2013

This movie is terrible. The story, the background, the whole script is a mess. I believe that this flick is racist to an utter extent, the mere title says it all. The plot has no foundation, it lacks everything that is expected from a thriller, you barely get in touch with each characterThis movie is terrible. The story, the background, the whole script is a mess. I believe that this flick is racist to an utter extent, the mere title says it all. The plot has no foundation, it lacks everything that is expected from a thriller, you barely get in touch with each character that englobes the directors message to the expectator. Lacks details that may had placed them on a score of 1. And my review ends with one question to the director, Why do you believe that the poor and the minority in 2022 are the Afro-americans?.… Expand

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

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27	#27 Most Discussed Movie of 2013
33	#33 Most Shared Movie of 2013