The Purge
Performance & Direction: The Purge Review
Last updated: January 26, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Purge (2013) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 6.3/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Science Fiction.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Science Fiction is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Purge features a noteworthy lineup led by Ethan Hawke . Supported by the likes of Lena Headey and Max Burkholder , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of The Purge (2013) is mixed. With an audience rating of 6.3/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Story & Plot Summary: The Purge
Quick Plot Summary: The Purge is a Science Fiction, Horror, Thriller film that explores futuristic concepts and technological possibilities while examining humanity. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Story Breakdown
The film presents its narrative with careful attention to pacing and character development. Given the country's overcrowded prisons, the U.S. government begins to allow 12-hour periods of time in which all illegal activity is legal. During one of these free-for-alls, a family must protect themselves from a home invasion. The story unfolds naturally, allowing viewers to become invested in the outcome while maintaining engagement throughout.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The film establishes its world and central conflict efficiently in the opening act.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. The arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The climax brings together the narrative threads, providing resolution while staying true to the established tone.
Thematic Depth
The sci-fi elements serve as a lens to examine contemporary issues such as technology's impact on humanity, the nature of consciousness, and our place in the universe.
What Works & What Doesn't
✅ Strengths
- Solid execution of genre conventions
- Engaging moments that showcase the filmmakers' vision
- Competent performances from the cast
⚠️ Weaknesses
- Some narrative choices that feel predictable
- Occasional pacing lulls in the middle act
Ending Explained: The Purge
Ending Breakdown: The Purge concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to science fiction resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the science fiction themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of The Purge reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch The Purge?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Science Fiction films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want solid genre entertainment
Box Office Collection: The Purge
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $3.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $91.3M |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
The Purge Budget
The estimated production budget for The Purge is $3.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: The Purge
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch The Purge Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
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Hungama Play
Amazon VideoThe Purge Parents Guide & Age Rating
2013 AdvisoryWondering about The Purge age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Purge is 85 minutes (1h 25m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.3/10, and global performance metrics, The Purge is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 2013 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Purge worth watching?
The Purge is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Science Fiction movies. It has a verified rating of 6.3/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Purge parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Purge identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of The Purge?
The total duration of The Purge is 85 minutes, which is approximately 1h 25m long.
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How The Purge Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for The Purge
It's the basic premise that makes _The Purge_ such a chilling watch and, thought you may see the thrills and scares coming from a mile away, it's the most interesting home-invasion thriller that I've seen in a very long time.
The core idea of a "purge" is interesting, but every single moment of "horror" or "thrill" in this film is a predictable jumpscare. It takes itself way too seriously and makes some heavy-handed social commentary, while at the same time being really unconvincing and riddled with tropes. Whenever one of the masked villains is on-screen you can count on them to silently tilt their head to the side, playfully skip with a weapon in hand, or giggle about killing. The main concept and Lena Headey's acting bumped the rating up a little.
Atrocious directing and cheesy jump scares disguised as nonsensical "social commentary."
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
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