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The First Purge

Play trailer 2:31 Poster for The First Purge R 2018 1h 37m Action Mystery & Thriller Horror Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
55% Tomatometer 174 Reviews 28% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
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.
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The First Purge

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Critics Consensus

The First Purge should satisfy fans of the franchise and filmgoers in the mood for violent vicarious thrills, even if its subtextual reach exceeds its grasp.

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Critics Reviews

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J. R. Jones Chicago Reader 03/04/2020
Unfortunately the characters are so poorly written that the political provocations hang in the air like birthday balloons. Go to Full Review Mark Kermode Kermode & Mayo's Film Review 08/28/2018
It's efficiently done. It's quite grueling. And what I like about it is that central idea... It's solid. Go to Full Review Simran Hans Observer (UK) 07/07/2018
3/5
The Purge films are B-movies, and so this ultraviolence mostly works, though its social commentary is served a little too rare to stomach easily. Go to Full Review Mike Massie Gone With The Twins 11/08/2024
3/10
The entertainment value is about the same as before, failing to change up the formula to a worthwhile degree – even if the finale (disappointingly doused in CG blood effects and largely repetitive) is appropriately action-packed and bloodthirsty. Go to Full Review Aaron Charles InSession Film 05/09/2024
C
It is a confused movie for a confusing time. Go to Full Review Keith Garlington Keith & the Movies 08/20/2022
2/5
Despite its goofiness and inflated sense of relevance, “The First Purge” is serviceable throwaway entertainment....But it’s still not a movie to recommend. It’s more of the same in slightly (and I do mean slightly) different packaging. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Bryan Keegan 01/10/2025 I didn’t see this movie See more Dim Dim T @RT09697466 Jun 10 Great movie, anyone giving low rating are people who doesn’t understand reality and slightly racist period See more Blake- N @PBSAniDom Apr 19 The First Purge tries to expand the franchise by showing how it all began, but it ends up feeling more forgettable than impactful. The concept of exploring the origins should have added depth, yet the film mostly sticks to familiar beats without offering much that’s new. There are a few engaging moments, and the setting has some potential, but the characters aren’t developed enough to leave a lasting impression. The film leans more on action than tension, which takes away from the unsettling tone that made earlier entries stand out. It’s not bad, just very average and easy to forget once it’s over. A 5/10 feels about right. See more Shawan L @ShawanLLibang Mar 4 The First Purge feels like it showed up to the franchise with vibes only. It swings for "gritty origin story" and lands squarely on "straight‑to‑DVD chaos," with villains who look like they got lost on the way to a different movie and social commentary that tries so hard it pulls a muscle. It’s loud, empty, and somehow still forgettable. See more Damon G @Dmoney420 Feb 22 Loved how it showed gangsters saving their projects loved this one best out of the whole franchise See more Robbie L. @B-movies1981 Oct 26 This was a great start to the series.  I liked the message it tried to get across.  It makes me sad that in the world they survived turned into the world of the sequels. Knowing what comes next, makes it to where their fight was almost pointless. See more Read all reviews
The First Purge

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Cast & Crew

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Gerard McMurray

Director

Y'lan Noel

Dmitri

Lex Scott Davis

Nya

Joivan Wade

Isaiah

Mugga

Dolores

Patch Darragh

Chief of Staff -- Arlo Sabian

Movie Clips

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The First Purge

The First Purge: Official Clip - The Last Stand The First Purge: Official Clip - The Last Stand 2:39 The First Purge: Official Clip - I Got Your Sister The First Purge: Official Clip - I Got Your Sister 2:14 The First Purge: Official Clip - Viral Violence The First Purge: Official Clip - Viral Violence 1:36 The First Purge: Official Clip - A Dance With Death The First Purge: Official Clip - A Dance With Death 3:03 The First Purge: Official Clip - Stairway To Hell The First Purge: Official Clip - Stairway To Hell 1:48 The First Purge: Official Clip - The Devil at the Door The First Purge: Official Clip - The Devil at the Door 2:22 The First Purge: Official Clip - Star Spangled Murder The First Purge: Official Clip - Star Spangled Murder 1:50 The First Purge: Official Clip - Fire Fight The First Purge: Official Clip - Fire Fight 0:49 The First Purge: Official Clip - Drone Strike The First Purge: Official Clip - Drone Strike 1:37 The First Purge: Official Clip - Taking Back The Streets The First Purge: Official Clip - Taking Back The Streets 3:01 View more videos

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The First Purge

The First Purge: Behind the Scenes - Escalation The First Purge: Behind the Scenes - Escalation 1:05 The First Purge: Behind the Scenes - Relevant The First Purge: Behind the Scenes - Relevant 0:50 The First Purge: Behind the Scenes - Bringing the Chaos The First Purge: Behind the Scenes - Bringing the Chaos 1:16 The First Purge: Trailer 1 The First Purge: Trailer 1 2:31 The First Purge: Teaser Trailer 'Announcement' The First Purge: Teaser Trailer 'Announcement' 0:30 View more videos
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The First Purge

The First Purge (2018) The First Purge (2018) The First Purge (2018) The First Purge (2018) A scene from "The First Purge." A scene from "The First Purge." View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis 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.
Director
Gerard McMurray
Producer
Jason Blum, Michael Bay, Andrew Form, Brad Fuller, Sebastien K. Lemercier
Screenwriter
James DeMonaco
Distributor
Universal Pictures
Production Co
Platinum Dunes, Perfect World Pictures, Blumhouse Productions
Rating
R (Pervasive Language|Drug Use|Some Sexuality|Strong Disturbing Violence)
Genre
Action, Mystery & Thriller, Horror
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 4, 2018, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 18, 2018
Box Office (Gross USA)
$68.9M
Runtime
1h 37m
Sound Mix
Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)