Rotten
Writer-director James DeMonaco's The Purge fritters away its promise in lurid, frenzied violence.
Michael Sragow, Orange County Register
The Purge
One night a year, all crime is legal.
2013 · 1h 25m · R
Horror, Science Fiction, Thriller
Directed by
James DeMonaco
Overview
Given the country's overcrowded prisons, the U.S. government begins to allow 12-hour periods of time in which all illegal activity is legal. During one of these free-for-alls, a family must protect themselves from a home invasion.
Director and cast
- James DeMonaco Director
- Ethan Hawke as James Sandin
- Lena Headey as Mary Sandin
- Max Burkholder as Charlie Sandin
- Adelaide Kane as Zoey Sandin
- Edwin Hodge as Bloody Stranger
- Rhys Wakefield as Polite Leader
- Tony Oller as Henry
- Arija Bareikis as Mrs. Grace Ferrin
- Tom Yi as Mr. Cali
- Chris Mulkey as Mr. Halverson
Critics on Rotten Tomatoes
Top critics, in their words
41%
Tomatometer
Rotten
DeMonaco clearly hopes to make a significant moral statement on the level of Shirley Jackson's literary masterpiece The Lottery. Alas, his aim at political conservatives who support the gun lobby falls flat before he can pull the trigger.
Rex Reed, New York Observer
Rotten
If The Purge is as far-sighted as Network proved to be, we are in for very ugly times.
David Thomson, The New Republic
Rotten
That old horror-movie standard, a homestead besieged by psychos, gets remixed with a bit of Occupy-era class-conflict satire in the disappointing future-set thriller The Purge.
Leslie Felperin, Variety
Rotten
Gimmicky chiller lacks the robustness and distinction needed to support its social-commentary ambitions.
Neil Young, Hollywood Reporter
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