Though fairly successful at the box office, James DeMonaco‘s series of Purge films haven’t really followed through on the inherent political themes of their stories. Sure, The Purge and The Purge: Anarchy paid a bit of lip service to the larger political world that they occupy, but these films seem like they should raging indictments of the status quo. If the trailer for the third Purge, The Purge: Election Year, is to be believed, DeMonaco and company are finally following through with their political aspects, but I’ve been burned before. Considering Donald Trump’s victory in New Hampshire last night, The Purge: Election Night might turn out to be quite prescient.
Returning from The Purge: Anarchy is Frank Grillo as the gruff survivor of the dastardly night of death, and he’s joined by newcomers to this crazed world: Elizabeth Mitchell, Edwin Hodge, Betty Gabriel, JJ Soria, and Mykelti Williamson. The Purge: Election Year hits theaters over Fourth of July weekend, opening just as primary season comes to a close and leaving us wondering if we should stock up on supplies and arms for the eventual Purge Night. Or just keep repeating…it’s only a movie. It’s only a movie. It’s only a movie.
The official synopsis for The Purge: Election Night:
It’s been two years since Leo Barnes (Frank Grillo) stopped himself from a regrettable act of revenge on Purge Night. Now serving as head of security for Senator Charlie Roan (Elizabeth Mitchell), his mission is to protect her in a run for president and survive the annual ritual that targets the poor and innocent. But when a betrayal forces them onto the streets of D.C. on the one night when no help is available, they must stay alive until dawn…or both be sacrificed for their sins against the state.
