The Purge
La Purga
2013 · United States, Belgium, France · 85 min
- Director
- James DeMonaco
- Screenplay
- James DeMonaco
- Producer
- Michael Bay, Bradley Fuller, Jason Blum, Andrew Form
- Music
- Nathan Whitehead
- Cinematography
- Jacques Jouffret
- Production company
- Universal Pictures, Platinum Dunes, Blumhouse Productions
Cast
What it is about
In a near future, after an economic collapse, a political party called the New Founding Fathers of America takes power and passes a law allowing one night a year in which all crime, murder included, is legal, while emergency services shut down. The government presents the event as a success that has brought poverty and crime to historic lows. James Sandin, a security system salesman, fortifies his comfortable Los Angeles home with his family to ride out the night. As unexpected events unfold inside the house, the family's trust in its security system and in its neighbors is tested, and each member must confront what they are willing to protect.
How it was made
The script was partly inspired by a remark from DeMonaco's wife after a road rage incident. DeMonaco and his co-writer Lemercier recalled that early pitches met resistance, with some readers calling the material too un-American because of its treatment of violence and gun control. Jason Blum, who was developing low-cost genre films for Universal, provided the $3 million budget. That modest funding shaped the film's main location: nearly all the action takes place inside the house. Ethan Hawke initially received $10,000 up front and later earned about $2 million in backend compensation. Screen tests were mixed, but DeMonaco noted positive responses from Black and Latino audiences. Michael Bay is credited as a producer through Platinum Dunes, and the cinematography is by Jacques Jouffret.
Reception and legacy
In its opening weekend in the United States, the film topped the box office with $34.1 million over three days. Its worldwide gross of roughly $91.3 million against a $3 million budget made it a striking commercial success for its cost. Critics were more divided, and some felt its social satire was diluted by the siege-thriller structure. The premise launched a franchise that includes a sequel, a third installment, a prequel, a television series and a fifth film, making it the starting point of one of the most recognizable low-budget horror series of its decade.
Stills
Trailer
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Trivia
Family origin
DeMonaco was partly inspired by a remark from his wife after a road rage incident.
Hawke's early pay
Ethan Hawke initially received $10,000 and later earned about $2 million in backend compensation.
More films by James DeMonaco
The Purge: Anarchy
The Purge: Election YearOriginal Cinematopedia text based on Wikipedia (es) and Wikipedia (en) and Wikidata.