I have a confession to make before I begin this review. I have never seen the first two Purge movies. So, you will have to bare with me if I make some mistakes in the plot line. I would have to go back and watch the first two films to be totally accurate, and I didn’t want to wait that long to do the review. After all, it’s only in theaters for a short while, and you don’t want to miss it if you think you might like it, right? So, let’s get to it.
The Purge Election Year Movie Review
The Purge: Election Year stars Frank Grillo as Leo Barnes, a former police sergeant who survived the last Purge film and is now the head of security for Senator Charlie Roan (Elizabeth Mitchell). Roan is a presidential candidate whose platform is based upon ending the purge. If you are unfamiliar with what the purge is, let me explain. In this film, there is a new leadership in place in the United States known as the New Founding Fathers of America (N.F.F.A.). The biggest change in the law that they have made is to make the purge legal. The purge is a twelve hour period once every year in which any and all crime is legal, including murder. The idea is that the rich and powerful can rid society of the weak and poor.
There are a surprising large number of people who enjoy the purge and have voted to keep the N.F.F.A. in office for over 25 years, with their president being Minister Elwidge Owens (Kyle Secor). However, there is a growing number of people who are now tired of the purge and want it abolished. Roan herself is a survivor of the purge, when a devout purger broke into her home and made her watch as he slaughtered her entire family. Now she is the biggest advocate for ending the purge.
As purge night approaches, Senator Roan is placed in protective custody when the N.F.F.A. changes the rules of the purge to waive the exemption status for government officials, with the express hope that Roan herself will be purged. Barnes considers himself Roan’s only trusted protector and swears on his life that she will survive purge night. With a little help from an unwitting group of strangers who themselves have good reasons to see the purge end, Roan and Barnes set out to survive the night, but soon discover that surviving the night won’t be easy and even loyal friends can’t be trusted.
My Thoughts
This movie was somewhat what I expected, but was also very surprising. It did have a lot of action, but it also was a bit gory in places, so I would think twice about taking the kids. Also, I don’t in any way condone the subject matter of this film. The film implies that killing people is fine as long as religion justifies it. That’s the part that I can’t condone about this film. However, it was surprisingly entertaining at times. I would give it 3 stars on my 1 to 5 scale.
In my opinion, if there is another film you are interested in seeing, you might could do better by seeing something else. However, if you are a horror buff or just like a lot of blood and action in your movies, then this is the film for you.
Have You Seen The Purge Election Year?
What did you think? Feel free to share your comments below.
I love horror/thriller movies. I haven’t seen any of them, but they sure do look interesting!
I haven’t really watched horror movies since I was in high school. I’ve seen the trailers for all of the Purge movies and I must say, it scares me if something like this could happen places. I know it’s just a movies, but sometimes you never know.
I know! The way governments are in some countries, this wouldn’t be too far of a reach.
I haven’t seen any of these at all. I think this is the first time I’ve actually heard of these movies. I’ll have to check them out because I love horror movies.
This one had a really cool trailer that I saw several times on Hulu. It looked like a political ad.
I must admit that horror movies scare me. I end up having nightmares from them sometimes. But my cousin is a big fan so I will let her know about this movie.
The Purge movies scare me to death! I have seen the first two and I watch them, but this movie series is CREEEEEEEEPY!
I haven’t seen any of these movies. Your comments about it are interesting, however, I’m not sure that I will end up ever seeing this movie. I’ll be curious to hear from others who do see it, what they think!
Totally creepy to me but I have a very vivid imagination and have nightmares easily. So much so that my husband filters what I see so he doesn’t wake to my blood curdling screams. Yikes!
Oh no! I hope this doesn’t get you. That’s why Jay had to review this and no me. No thanks, lol.
My husband and I went and saw this movie it was good. I liked all of these though so it was fun. Crazy movie, great review!
I never saw any of the Purge movies but my husband has and said they were good. I should tell him about this one!
I never seen any of the Purge movies but my husband has and he liked them. Thank you for sharing it!
I have seen the other movies in this series and they scare me. They scare me because increasingly, the events seem like something people would allow to happen in our country.
Sadly, I see what you are saying. When Jay was telling me about this movie, I was thinking about how that could happen somewhere in the world if the wrong people got in power.
I have not seen this film yet, but am looking forward to it very soon.
Ya I’m with some of the other ladies.. not a huge gore and horror fan :/ but my husband usually is!
Horror movies are not my favorite, but I have a friend who loves them. I will have to see if she has seen this one!
I watched the first movie and thought it was good. I am waiting until my Sister comes to visit to go see this. We are both excited to see it.
I am looking forward to seeing this movie. My teenagers have been asking to go with me to see it.
I bet this is something that teens will really like. I know as a teen that I always loved horror movies.
I saw the first two movies a while back, and they kept me on the edge of my seat throughout. I’m sure the third installment won’t disappoint.
I will have to rent The Purge and watch it. This sounds like number 2 is going to be a great movie.
I have never seen The Purge. I have been hearing some good reviews for The Purge Election Year. I will have to check it out.
I haven’t seen any of these films but they are on my list. It’s hard to get to see a good horror film as I have kids and can’t take them!
Oh my gosh, that is a scary 12 hours. I have no doubt the kids would like this…they enjoy the scary stuff.
I have seen the first Purge movie, and my husband liked it. I am not a horror buff but I’ll go see this if my husband asked me to. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!