This could happen, and that is the scariest thing about this movie

Rating: 6/10 (30 July 2014)

In the not to distant future of 2022, the United States Government has selected a twelve hour time period once a year where any crime is permitted as the new America gets to 'Cleanse and Purge' itself of the violence it holds in all year long. This sets up a class-struggle between the rich and the poor. The rich can afford security and the poor are open to the murder. Enter James Sandin (Hawke) who has sold a purge proof security system to all his rich neighbors. Being told 'this is what is best for America' and believing it, the family sits down to dinner as the 12 hour purge begins. Only Charlie (Burkholder) seems distraught over the event. Through his sympathy, he un-arms the house security system and lets in a man (Edwin Hodge) being pursued by some crazies wearing masks. The family is told if they don't deliver the man to them for death, they will break in and take everyone. Writer/Director James DeMonaco writes a story that sounds far-fetched but in today's political world it just might ring of truth. All humanity and decency is tossed aside in favor of feeling safe. Of course there is the class struggle as well and all of this is something the family must face in these 90 minutes of film. Surely there are some absurd plot twists that must be overlooked to get to that moment when the invaders are in the home, in the dark and it's either kill or be killed. DeMonaco builds decent suspense and there are some chilling scenes as well, as the movie becomes a guilty pleasure. The performances are good and the group of crazies outside is truly scary. Whether you believe in DeMonaco's political stance or not doesn't really matter. The fact he has something built into the storyline that makes you question and think is a good thing and quite rare. The actual execution is decent but the scariest thing about this movie is the idea that it could come true.