One night a year, all crime is legal.|May. 31, 2013|USA|86 Min.|R
Genre: Horror;Science;Fiction;Thriller
Description: In 2014, the New Founding Fathers of America, a totalitarian political party, rises to power after an economic collapse. They enact a law that establishes an annual event called “The Purge”: for 12 hours each year, all crimes, including murder, arson, theft, and rape, are legal, with the exception of crimes against government officials. Emergency services are suspended until 7 a.m. By 2022, the United States experiences a drastic reduction in crime, and the unemployment rate drops to 1%.
In 2022, James Sandin returns to his luxurious home in a gated Los Angeles community to prepare for the night with his wife, Mary, and their children, Zoey and Charlie. Confident in the security system developed by his company, James believes his family will be safe. As the purge approaches, Zoey secretly meets her boyfriend, Henry, an 18-year-old whom James disapproves of due to his age. James activates the security system as the purge begins, and the family settles into their routines.
Zoey is surprised to find Henry hiding in her room, having sneaked in before the security system was enabled. Henry plans to confront James about their relationship. Meanwhile, Charlie, monitoring the surveillance cameras, spots a wounded man pleading for help outside. He disables the security system momentarily to let the man in. James quickly reactivates the system and confronts the stranger at gunpoint. Henry intervenes, pulling a gun on James, but James shoots him, leaving Henry mortally wounded. In the chaos, the wounded man disappears and hides.
Soon, a heavily armed gang arrives at the Sandin house, demanding the wounded man be handed over. The leader threatens to invade the home if the family refuses. Mary questions James about the security system’s effectiveness, and he admits it cannot withstand a determined attack. Initially, the family considers surrendering the wounded man to the gang but ultimately decides to spare him, realizing their humanity is at stake. They resolve to defend themselves against the purge gang.
Cast director: James DeMonaco
Cast actor: Ethan Hawke, Lena Headey, Max Burkholder, Adelaide Kane, Edwin Hodge, Rhys Wakefield, Arija Bareikis, Tony Oller, Tom Yi, Chris Mulkey
Original name: The Purge