This film opens at theaters on July 2nd, 2021.
Released in 2013, The Purge was a low-budget horror film set in a dystopian America, where for 12 each year, all crime is considered legal. The violent movie divided critics, but touched a nerve with audiences. This week sees the arrival of the fifth and supposedly last feature in the series. The Forever Purge is another pulpy little exploitation flick, but one that seems more relatable given some of the noxious events that have occurred over the past few years. This sequel also presents a few modifications to the concept that deliver an extra level of potency.
This tale is set in a small Texas community near the Mexican border. Immigrants Adele (Ana de la Reguera) and her husband Juan (Tenoch Huerta) try to keep their heads down and stay safe as the annual Purge approaches. Juan works as a ranch hand for the wealthy Tucker family, including family patriarch Caleb (Will Patton), his son Dylan (Josh Lucas), pregnant daughter-in-law Emma Kate Tucker (Cassidy Freeman) and daughter Harper (Leven Rambin). There’s some tension between Juan and the conservative-minded Dylan, but the two are forced to help one another after massive factions of racist extremists decide to continue the Purge around the country after the event’s scheduled end. With the nation in chaos, the group learn that Mexico and Canada are temporarily allowing refugees across the border for a few short hours. The group race to get out of the country, taking on fire from both extremists and the only-slightly-less-aggressive National Guard.
One of the big and more entertaining additions to this chapter is the desert setting, which adds a western-like feel to the proceedings. Admittedly, the vehicles are modern, a couple of attack scenes involve hand-held weapons and the villains running riot also set a couple of elaborate traps (although a weaponized cage introduced early in the proceedings seems like far too much time and trouble for even a psychotic, maniacal killer to create). Still, much of the fighting and action involves firearms and shootouts. And as the characters ultimately head into quieter and more desolate areas, it becomes clearer and clearer that the gunslinger genre is providing some inspiration.
However, there’s nothing subtle about the themes being addressed onscreen. Our sympathies are with Adele and Juan as they are targeted by the vicious mob, many of whom stating that all immigrants should be eliminated. Other comments about the government instilling violence and xenophobia among its people are about as straightforward as it gets. Juan even asks Dylan and others to speak plainly and tell him their true feelings towards him. From a dramatic standpoint, the movie could have probably added more tension had a few random figures behaved in a friendly manner before turning on the leads. Still, the extremists are unsettling and their inhumane acts allow audience members to feel some relief when the antagonists are stopped by the leads with equal force.
While not high art, one must remember that this is a simple, modestly budgeted genre film. The action on display is very well choreographed, shot and edited to effectively convey a country succumbing to utter chaos and panic. The performances are all fine, with veteran performers like Will Patton adding even more gravitas to the proceedings. And as horrifying as it may seem, the ugly, fanatical thinking on display seems more believable today than it might have when the series first premiered.
I’ll admit to generally not being a big enthusiast of this particular series. However, this entry makes a few new alterations that liven things up. At the very least, it strives to try and address important issues while it provides the requisite shocks and gore that genre fans demand. In the end, The Forever Purge wraps up this apocalyptic series effectively and stands as one of, if not the franchise’s strongest chapters.