The Purge Reviews

You won't believe that any part of it is even remotely plausible, but you'll go along with it enough to get a few thrills.

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Honestly, this is not a high-quality movie. The script has gaping plot holes, and you need to suspend your disbelief. But it does encourage people to talk about violence. While 'The Purge' may not be entertainment, I can say it's thought-provoking.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4

...quickly forgets its fake concern because there's too much awesome stalking, stabbing and shrieking demanding camera time, too many luxury objects that cry out to be righteously smashed by bad guy skulls.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5

Contrary to the home-invasion emphasis of its trailer, it never loses touch with its ingenious premise.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4

A cerebral screamfest certain to give you goosebumps!

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/4

...the plot strains credulity to the breaking point, but it holds up, even through the violent, bloody ending.

Full Review | Original Score: 7/10

Despite some cliched horror characters and tropes, The Purge is recommendable to those who like the short, sweet, and cathartic violent enjoyment of a solid thriller.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/5

Feels like the speculative offspring from a shotgun marriage between real-life, tenuous policies and discordant bluster. From a political point of view, it invites you to the wedding, lets you decide on which side to sit and avoids any sermonizing.

Full Review | Original Score: 4.5/5

Its ominous tone is consistent throughout its 85-minute duration, and you wish the film were a bit longer with more exposition of the events that shaped this dystopian future.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5

DeMonaco strikes a nice balance between the message and the mayhem as he bounces between the philosophical demons inside the Sandin home and the sadistic demons waiting outside.

Full Review | Original Score: B-

James DeMonaco's thriller does get you thinking. What would you do if any crime were, well, a real free-for-all?

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Renders fictional class warfare and fictional misguided government policy as a shocking jolt of entertainment.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4

Standard "stalk, attack, revenge" home invasion material, but it's also laced with an appreciable sense of pointed social commentary.

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The Bloody Stranger represents one thing to the clueless folks in his world and something else entirely to you, who know better.

Full Review | Original Score: 7/10

"The Purge" works as an exercise in suspense. Writer-Director James DeMonaco knows how to generate the chills.

Full Review | Original Score: B-

By reconfiguring its old formula, Blumhouse Productions has crafted its best film in years, erasing memories of the terminally declining PARANORMAL ACTIVITY sequels and spin-offs.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5

Writer/director James DeMonaco isn't too far from his comfort zone as he previously scripted the 2005 remake of John Carpenter's 'Assault on Precinct 13.' (Complete Content Details for Parents are also available)

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In its own clumsy, exaggerated way, The Purge takes a strong stand against our cultural obsession with violence and our tendency to conflate justice with vengeance.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/4

An effective little thrill ride that dares to ask some really interesting questions.

Full Review | Original Score: B+

Finds varying degrees of success as a genre film, but fortunately makes up for its downfalls as a compelling conversation starter.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/4