The Purge: 2 ½ out of 5

Although James DeMonaco’s futuristic thriller induced its fair share of fear, The Purge fell far short of its hype. Set in the year 2022, the sci-fi thriller takes place in a “reborn” United States, where crime and unemployment have hit an all-time low. The film follows a family of four as they prepare for the annual purge, a 12-hour period sanctioned by the government that legalizes all crime in the name of limiting social ills by allowing citizens to vent their negative emotions. Running only an hour and 25 minutes long, the film did not cover much more than its chilling trailer. The plot does not take any unexpected turns, and the main conflict is drawn on far too long. The Purge’s villain, a masked man at the door of the family’s home, demanding his right to purge on a citizen the family is sheltering, has an eccentric, maniacal demeanor that became almost annoying in a matter of minutes. As it lacks any surprise twist or creative ending, I wouldn’t waste your money on this thriller—the trailer on YouTube says it all.

The Purge is directed by James DeMonaco and stars Ethan Hawke and Lena Headey.