The Purge (film)

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"This is not a test. This is your emergency broadcast system announcing the commencement of the Annual Purge sanctioned by the U.S. Government. Weapons of class 4 and lower have been authorized for use during the Purge. All other weapons are restricted. Government officials of ranking 10 have been granted immunity from the Purge and shall not be harmed. Commencing at the siren, any and all crime, including murder, will be legal for 12 continuous hours. Police, fire, and emergency medical services will be unavailable until tomorrow morning until 7 a.m., when The Purge concludes. Blessed be our New Founding Fathers and America, a nation reborn. May God be with you all."

The Purge is a 2013 American dystopian horror film written and directed by James DeMonaco, starring Ethan Hawke and Lena Headey.

Set in the near future, the United States has recovered from an economic collapse after an organization known as “New Founding Fathers of America” takes over. Under this, a yearly event is instituted known as "The Purge". During this, for twelve hours between 7 PM until 7AM, police, fire and medical emergency services had temporary shut down, allowing crime to be legal for the period, including homicide. As a result, crime and unemployment rates downed and the economy improved, but it comes at a price.

Meanwhile, during the event, the family of a security systems salesman is taken hostage by masked individuals, who want the stranger who's inside their house.

The film was followed by The Purge: Anarchy in 2014 and The Purge: Election Year in 2016.

Not to be confused with the trope The Purge.

Tropes used in The Purge (film) include:
  • Adult Fear: The Sandin parents have sound reasons to be fearful for the lives of the children during the Purge. James is a salesman of security system and employs his skills to protect his family.
  • An Axe to Grind: A neighbor is seen getting ready for the Purge, while James is force to kill an invader with an axe.
  • Crap Saccharine World: With the exception of the 12-hour Purge, the USA seems to appear to be a peaceful location.
  • Kill the Poor: The poor are mostly the victims of the Purge.
  • The Purge: Well… duh…
  • Would Hit a Girl/Would Hurt a Child: Women and children are fair game when it comes to the Purge.