The First Purge
54
metacriticBased on 39 Critics
48
Based on 56 Users

Release Date: July 4th, 2018

R |1 hr 37 min

Plot Summary

To push the crime rate below one percent for the rest of the year, the New Founding Fathers of America try a radical sociological experiment that allows citizens to vent their aggression for one night in an isolated community. The idea soon explodes across the nation when the violence of the oppressors meets the rage of the marginalized.

Cast: Y'lan Noel, Lex Scott Davis, Joivan Wade, Mugga , Patch Darragh, Marisa Tomei, Luna Lauren Velez, Kristen Solis

Director: Gerard McMurray

Genres: Horror , Thriller , Action

Production Co: Platinum Dunes, Perfect World Pictures, Blumhouse Productions

Distributors: Universal Pictures

Keywords: Rescue , Car , Dark , Pursuit , Revenge , Murder , Escape , Survival , Intense

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Ratings & Reviews

  • 50
    Inkoo KangSlate

    By exposing on the top-down class-warfare origins of the annual event, the prequel elaborates on the series’ earnest political commentary — and exposes its limits as well. show more

  • 45
    Rebecca PahleFilm Journal International

    The film does mix up the formula in some ways. Unfortunately, these changes are by and large for the worse. It edges away from horror and more towards action, favoring shootouts to scares. The latter are in short supply. show more

  • 40
    John DeForeThe Hollywood Reporter

    Despite the assistance reality continues to give it, making an annual rite of government-sanctioned racial violence seem less far-fetched by the day (or by the tweet), Gerard McMurray's The First Purge still fails to establish a persuasive connection to our own moment in time — its occasional winks to current events serving as limp zingers instead of stinging commentary. show more

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