The First Purge

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2:31

The First Purge

R

2018

1h 37m

Action

Mystery & Thriller

Horror

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

55%

Tomatometer

175 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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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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J. R. Jones

Chicago Reader

Mar 4, 2020

Unfortunately the characters are so poorly written that the political provocations hang in the air like birthday balloons.

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Mark Kermode

Kermode & Mayo's Film Review

Aug 28, 2018

It's efficiently done. It's quite grueling. And what I like about it is that central idea... It's solid.

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Simran Hans

Observer (UK)

Jul 7, 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.

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James Profetto

Reel James (YouTube)

Jul 2, 2026

5/10

I could turn my brain off in the beginning, but I felt like a mindless zombie halfway throughout the movie. Nothing really resonated with me.

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Nov 8, 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.

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Aaron Charles

InSession Film

May 9, 2024

C

It is a confused movie for a confusing time.

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Bryan Keegan

Jan 10, 2025

I didn’t see this movie

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Alejandro G

@agc123 Oct 27, 2026

Nothing of note from this movie, the characters are bland and the dialogue is so blatantly forced it derails the movie. Even the kills are boring. Not worth watching.

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Doug D

@IDONTCAEWHATYOUCALLME Oct 17, 2026

Started off good. But, didn't take long to become "evil white men are killing blacks". Layover from the woke past.

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Robert P

@Superbad Sep 15, 2026

The First Purge = a *1.5* star Movie!

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Ashequl I

@Tofa13 Aug 18, 2026

The First Purge (2018) attempts to explore the origins of the annual night of lawlessness, but in doing so, it pivots away from the terrifying horror rooted in the earlier films. Confining the initial experiment to Staten Island, the narrative shifts genre entirely into a full-throttle urban action movie. Y'lan Noel turns in a charisma-filled, physical performance as a local crime boss who essentially becomes an unstoppable action hero fighting off government mercenaries. While the gunplay, tactical fights, and fast pacing make for a solid action experience, the lack of genuine horror, tension, and psychological dread makes it feel detached from the rest of the series. It stands as an entertaining action flick, but a disappointing prequel for die-hard horror fans.

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Chris S

@Janomi Aug 10, 2026

The First Purge has a good idea in showing how the experiment began. The origin-story angle gives the franchise a chance to explain the roots of the system, and the Staten Island setting makes the first Purge feel like a social experiment being forced onto one community. The political commentary fits the series, especially in how it deals with race, poverty, government corruption, and engineered violence. The ideas are valid, even if the dialogue and plotting often spell them out too directly. Y’lan Noel gives the movie its strongest presence as Dmitri. He brings physical confidence and intensity, especially in the final stretch, where the film works best as a direct action-survival movie. Lex Scott Davis also gives the story needed urgency as Nya. The First Purge has a strong concept, but the execution is blunt, uneven, and not as tense as it should be.

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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

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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)

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