I would argue that The Purge franchise is the obvious extension of what Saw accomplished before it. By using especially violent horror to explore wider socio-political issues, The Purge set itself as an especially relevant entry to the genre. And now, after showing us how the annual event where all crime is legal for a day got its start, we see how it continues on in The Forever Purge.
A direct sequel to 2016’s The Purge: Election Year (2018’s The First Purge was a prequel) which saw the Purge terminated with the arrival of a new President, The Forever Purge shows that some aren’t so willing to give up on it. As before, the privileged turn their aggression towards the powerless, the homeless, immigrants, and others deemed undesirable by the ruling class. Only now it’s taking place on the Texas/Mexico border, and all of the connotations you expect are definitely there.
Franchise creator James DeMonaco is back, having written every film and directed three. Making his directorial debut is Everardo Gout. The cast is led by Army of the Dead‘s Ana de la Reguera, Josh Lucas, Tenoch Huerta, Will Patton, and Cassidy Freeman.
The Forever Purge brings the franchise to a close on July 2nd. I’m sad to see it go as it’s been my favorite since launch.
