(HORROR) The Purge - 2013 ****1/2

'The Purge' is a terrifying film. More so because you can imagine this sort of thing happening in America somewhere down the line. To me this was far more disturbing than a slasher or ghost film. It focuses on the problems with our society, and how the wealthy regard the poor.
The Purge happens once a year. On this night, for 12 hours, all criminal activity is legal and emergency services are unavailable. Unemployment and criminal rates are at an all time low because America is in effect 'cleansing' itself of people it does not feel are worthy to be alive and no one is going to bother committing a crime throughout the rest of the year if they know that they can do anything they want on this night and not have to face the consequences of their actions. Already a terrifying thought, but what would happen if you found that a group of people wanted to break into your home and kill you, and there was no one to help? This is exactly what happens to Ethan Hawke and his family on the night of the annual purge, after his son unwittingly opens the door to a homeless man who is seeking refuge. The house is then surrounded by a group of menacing individuals all wearing masks (presumably all from the same high class neighbourhood that he lives in) who tell him that unless he gives them back their 'target', they will enter his house with force and murder him and his family. Hawke is an unpopular character, for, despite working in security and designing top notch security systems he doesn't seem to comprehend that his family or he would need to use one. He has CCTV cameras set up to cover the whole street, automatic metal locks on his doors and windows, and still believes somehow that he is invincible and that no one will try to harm him.
The Purge supposedly is a way for America to release all the tension and angst that has built up until that point in the year. Once they have committed murder on this night, they feel 'refreshed' for the remainder of the year and can go about their business with minimum stress. It is also something of a 'survival of the fittest' situation, as the targets are most likely to be underprivileged, poor people who need to be 'got rid of' to make way for a world of millionaires and high flyers. Anyone think this seems a bit too 'Holocaust-like' for comfort?? If they don't have the right precautions in place to keep themselves safe at home then they don't have a leg to stand on. The only thing to be done is pray that you survive the night.
This is one of those films that stays with you for days afterwards. I cannot stop thinking about it.
See this.