The Purge: Election Year

2016 film directed by James DeMonaco

The Purge: Election Year

Theatrical release poster

Directed by| James DeMonaco
Written by| James DeMonaco
Produced by|

* Jason Blum
* Michael Bay
* Andrew Form
* Brad Fuller
* Sébastien K. Lemercier

Starring|

* Frank Grillo
* Elizabeth Mitchell
* Mykelti Williamson

Cinematography| Jacques Jouffret
Edited by| Todd E. Miller
Music by| Nathan Whitehead

Production
companies

* Platinum Dunes
* Blumhouse Productions
* Man in a Tree Productions

Distributed by| Universal Pictures

Release date

* July 1, 2016 (2016-07-01) (United States)

Running time

| 110 minutes[1]
Country| United States
Language| English
Budget| $10 million[2]
Box office| $118.6 million[3]

The Purge: Election Year is a 2016 American dystopian political action horror film written and directed by James DeMonaco and starring Frank Grillo, Elizabeth Mitchell, and Mykelti Williamson. It is the sequel to The Purge: Anarchy and is the third installment in the Purge franchise. Jason Blum and Michael Bay are among the film's producers.

The film was released on July 1, 2016, and received mixed reviews from critics. It earned more than $118 million worldwide, becoming the highest-grossing film of the series before being passed by the fourth film/prequel, The First Purge, in July 2018.[4] A narrative sequel, The Forever Purge, was finally released in July 2021,[5] while a sixth film, with Frank Grillo reprising his role from Anarchy and Election Year, is in active development.

In 2017, the film's tagline 'Keep America Great', received attention from the internet and media when it was the same slogan used by Donald Trump for his 2020 re-election campaign.[6][7][8]

## Plot

[edit]

In 2022, a young Charlie Roan is forced to watch as her family is killed on Purge night. Eighteen years later, in 2040, Roan is a U.S. Senator running for President and promising to end the Purge nights. Former police sergeant Leo Barnes is now head of security for Roan. The New Founding Fathers of America (NFFA) and their candidate, Minister Edwidge Owens, view Roan as a threat and decide, for the first time since its inception, to revoke immunity on government officials during the Purge.

Watching the Senator's TV debate are deli owner Joe Dixon, his assistant Marcos, and emergency medical technician Laney Rucker. A pair of teenage girls enter the store and begin stealing, only to be stopped by Joe. The girls mock him until Laney steps in, at which point they surrender their stolen goods and leave. Joe later discovers that his insurance premiums for Purge coverage have been raised beyond his affordability. Meanwhile, more tourists visit the U.S. to join the Purge.

On the Purge night, Joe guards his store and is joined by Marcos, and together they manage to repel an attack by the teenage girls. Laney travels the city providing medical care to the wounded. Roan decides to wait out the Purge from her home rather than a secure location in order to secure the vote, and is accompanied by Barnes, Chief Couper, Eric and additional security forces. However, they are betrayed by Couper and Eric, who allow a paramilitary force led by Earl Danzinger to kill the security detail. Barnes escorts the Senator to safety, but is wounded in the process. He detonates a bomb in the house, killing Eric and Chief Couper.

Barnes and Roan attempt to seek shelter but are ambushed by a group of Russian “murder tourists” Purgers and taken captive. Before they are executed, Joe and Marcos shoot the gang dead, having seen the pair's plight from the store's rooftop. As they take shelter in Joe's store, the teenage girls return with reinforcements but are rescued by Laney, who kills the girls. The group are then ambushed by Danzinger in a helicopter, and seek refuge in an overpass where Barnes realizes they were tracked by the bullet lodged inside him, and manages to extract it as they are met by the Crips. In exchange for the group rendering medical aid to an injured Crips member's son, the gang plants the bullet elsewhere to divert the paramilitary team.

The group arrives at an underground anti-Purge hideout run by Dante Bishop. Barnes discovers that Bishop's group intends on assassinating Owens, in an effort to put an end to the Purge. A large group of paramilitary personnel arrive at the hideout looking for Bishop. Barnes and Roan escape back to the streets and meet up with Joe, Marcos and Laney, who had left the Triage Centre earlier to return to Joe's store.

While fleeing the city, the ambulance is hit by Danzinger's team and Roan is pulled out before Barnes can assist. He leads the group and Bishop's team to a fortified cathedral where the NFFA plans to sacrifice her. Before Roan can be killed by the NFFA, the group arrives and cause a massive shootout that kills the congregation except Owens and NFFA loyalist Harmon James, who both escape. Owens is caught by Bishop's group who still intends on killing him but Roan, determined to beat him in the election, is able to persuade them not to. The remaining paramilitary forces arrive, killing Bishop and men. Danzinger fights Barnes, wherein the latter gains the upper hand. As Roan's group frees Owen's victims, James emerges from hiding and kills one of the victims but is shot by Joe in a crossfire, who later succumbs to his injuries.

Two months later, Marcos and Laney renovate Joe's store as they watch a television announcement declaring Roan's landslide victory. Another news report states of violent uprisings across the country from NFFA supporters in response to the election results.

## Cast

[edit]

* Frank Grillo as Leo Barnes,[9] former LAPD Police Sergeant turned Security Chief for Charlie Roan
* Elizabeth Mitchell as Senator Charlene "Charlie" Roan,[10] U.S. Senator/presidential candidate running on an anti-Purge platform
* Christy Coco as Young Charlie Roan
* Mykelti Williamson[10] as Joe Dixon, a working class deli owner
* Joseph Julian Soria[10] as Marcos Dali, Joe's Hispanic employee and close friend
* Betty Gabriel[10] as Laney Rucker, a triage EMT and former purger "la pequeña muerte"
* Terry Serpico as Earl Danzinger, leader of a neo-Nazi paramilitary group
* Edwin Hodge as Dante Bishop, an anti-Purge resistance fighter who is now the leader from the previous Purge films
* Kyle Secor as Minister Edwidge Owens,[10] a pastor of an NFFA-affiliated cathedral and presidential candidate
* Barry Nolan as Reporter #1
* Liza Colón-Zayas as Dawn, Laney's friend[10]
* Ethan Phillips as Chief Couper, member of Roan's security team and mole
* Adam Cantor as Tall Eric Busmalis, member of Roan's security team and mole
* Christopher James Baker as Harmon James, an NFFA loyalist
* Jared Kemp as Rondo, a young injured purger
* Brittany Mirabilé as Kimmy, a schoolgirl purger
* Raymond J. Barry as Caleb Warrens, NFFA leader and President of the United States
* Naheem Garcia as Angel Munoz, Bishop's partner
* Roman Blat as Uncle Sam Purger, a foreigner from Russia who joined the Purge (credited as "Uncle Sam")
* David Aaron Baker as NFFA Press Secretary Thomas "Tommy" Roseland
* George Lee Miles as Irish Ike Jenkins, a frequent customer in Joe's deli
* Johnnie Mae as Mrs. Sabian, a frequent customer in Joe's deli
* Juani Feliz as Kimmy's schoolgirl purge partner
* Jamal Peters as Crips leader, the head of the Crips who asks Roan's team to help his comrade (credited as "Gang Leader with Dying Friend")
* Matt Walton as News 13 Reporter
* Kimberly Howe as Kimmy's other purger friend
* Cindy Robinson as the Purge Emergency Broadcast System announcement voice[11] (uncredited)

## Production

[edit]

### Development

[edit]

On October 6, 2014, it was announced that James DeMonaco would be back to write and direct the third film, while producers Sebastian Lemercier, Blumhouse Productions' Jason Blum, and Platinum Dunes partners Michael Bay, Andrew Form, and Brad Fuller, would also be back.[12] On August 3, 2015, it was announced that Frank Grillo would return for the sequel to play Leo Barnes.[9] On September 10, 2015, more cast was announced, including Betty Gabriel, Edwin Hodge, Kyle Secor, Joseph Julian Soria, Mykelti Williamson, and Elizabeth Mitchell.[10]

### Filming

[edit]

Shooting began on September 16, 2015. Although a few scenes were filmed in Washington, DC, most of the movie was shot in Rhode Island, both in its capital Providence,[13] and Woonsocket.[14] The main streets of Woonsocket were transformed into the near-future Washington, DC.[15] The NFFA-captured Catholic cathedral where Owens' purge mass takes place, as well as the cathedral crypt scenes, were filmed at the St. Ann's Church Complex. The Rhode Island State House stood in as the White House and its rotunda and some of its interiors such as the Press Room and basement were also used for filming. Numerous landmarks of both Woonsocket and Providence make cameos in the film. The Roan household was shot in another part of Woonsocket and some of the interiors were shot on a soundstage to allow more room for cameras and crew.

## Music

[edit]

Nathan Whitehead returned to compose the score, having done the music for the first two Purge films. The soundtrack was released on July 1, 2016, to coincide with the release of the film.[16]

## Release

[edit]

Originally, the film was set to be released on Monday, July 4, 2016, to coincide with the Fourth of July, but was moved to Friday, July 1.[17] It was released in the United Kingdom on August 26.[citation needed]

### Home media

[edit]

The Purge: Election Year was released on digital platforms on September 20, 2016[18] and on Blu-ray and DVD on October 4, 2016.[18] A 4K UHD Blu-ray release occurred on June 12, 2018.[19] The film grossed $7.6 million in home video sales.[20]

## Reception

[edit]

### Box office

[edit]

The Purge: Election Year grossed $79.2 million in North America and $39.4 million in other territories for a worldwide total of $118.6 million, against a budget of $10 million.[21] Deadline Hollywood calculated the net profit of the film to be $44.8 million, when factoring together all expenses and revenues.[22]

In the United States and Canada, the film opened alongside The BFG and The Legend of Tarzan, and was projected to gross around $25 million in its opening weekend.[23] The film grossed $3.6 million from Thursday night previews, outperforming both of its predecessors (the original's $3.4 million in 2013 and The Purge: Anarchy's in $2.6 million in 2014).[24] In its opening weekend, the film grossed $31.4 million, landing in between the $34 million debut for the first film and the $29 million opening for the second, and finished third at the box office behind Finding Dory ($41.4 million) and The Legend of Tarzan ($38.6 million). The film grossed a total of $34.8 million over its four-day July 4 holiday frame.[25]

### Critical response

[edit]

On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 55% based on 165 reviews, with an average rating of 5.50/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "It isn't particularly subtle, but The Purge: Election Year's blend of potent jolts and timely themes still add up to a nastily effective diversion."[26] On Metacritic, the film has a score of 55 out of 100 based on 31 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[27] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "B+" on an A+ to F scale.[28]

A.O. Scott of The New York Times gave the movie a positive review, saying ""The Purge: Election Year" takes itself just seriously enough to provide the expected measure of fun - a blend of aggression, release and relief."[29] On the other hand, Alan Zilberman of The Washington Post gave the movie 1.5 stars out of 4, saying "Even DeMonaco seems bored by the sieges, escapes and gun battles. Silly one-liners are the only saving grace, and that's because such acting veterans as Williamson know how to sell them."

### Accolades

[edit]

The Purge: Election Year was nominated for Best Teaser Poster (Lindeman & Associates) at the 2016 Golden Trailer Awards.[30][31] It received a nomination for Favorite Thriller Movie at the 43rd People's Choice Awards.[32]

## Continuation

[edit]

### Prequel

[edit]

Main article: The First Purge

In September 2016, James DeMonaco, who wrote and directed every film in the series thus far, stated that the fourth Purge film would be a prequel to the trilogy. The film will reportedly show how the United States got to the point of accepting the Purge Night.[33]

On February 17, 2017, DeMonaco announced that a fourth installment is in development at Universal Studios. DeMonaco will write the script, while Jason Blum from Blumhouse Productions and Michael Bay, Brad Fuller, and Andrew Form from Platinum Dunes will return to produce the film with Sébastien K. Lemercier.[34] The film was set for a July 4, 2018 release date.[35]

On July 20, 2017, it was announced that Gerard McMurray will be directing the fourth film titled, The First Purge.[36]

### Sequels

[edit]

Main article: The Forever Purge

In October 2018, James DeMonaco expressed interest to finish the Purge franchise.[37]

By May 2019, Universal Pictures announced the fifth Purge film was in development, with DeMonaco returning to write, and acting as co-producer with Sébastien K. Lemercier through their company Man in a Tree Productions. Jason Blum also produced through Blumhouse Productions, along with Michael Bay, Brad Fuller, and Andrew Form through Platinum Dunes.[38] The film would act as a direct sequel to Election Year.

In August 2019, Everardo Gout was tapped to direct the film, titled The Forever Purge.[39][40]

By July 2021, DeMonaco was revealed to be writing for a sixth film, as Blum intends to continue the franchise. The film will be a sequel to The Forever Purge, with Frank Grillo returning to star.[41]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "The Purge: Election Year (15)". British Board of Film Classification. August 11, 2016. Archived from the original on October 26, 2016. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
2. ^ "2016 Feature Film Study" (PDF). Film L.A. Inc. May 23, 2017. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 31, 2017. Retrieved July 4, 2018.
3. ^ "The Purge: Election Year". Box Office Mojo. Archived from the original on July 25, 2021. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
4. ^ "The Purge Series". Box Office Mojo. Archived from the original on January 9, 2015. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
5. ^ McClintock, Pamela (July 8, 2020). "Blumhouse's 'Forever Purge' and 'Halloween Kills' Delay Release to 2021 Amid Pandemic". Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on July 8, 2020. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
6. ^ January 18, Derek Lawrence Updated; EST, 2017 at 01:14 PM. "Donald Trump's Proposed 2020 Slogan was Used by 'The Purge: Election Year'". EW.com. Archived from the original on July 20, 2022. Retrieved July 20, 2022.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
7. ^ Parker, Ryan (January 18, 2017). "Donald Trump's 2020 Presidential Slogan Same as Horror Movie 'Purge: Election Year'". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on July 20, 2022. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
8. ^ Reilly, Nick (July 10, 2018). "'The Purge' producers respond to Donald Trump using their slogan". NME. Archived from the original on July 20, 2022. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
9. ^ a b Kroll, Justin (August 3, 2015). "Frank Grillo to Return for 'Purge 3' (EXCLUSIVE)". variety.com. Archived from the original on June 8, 2017. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
10. ^ a b c d e f g Hipes, Patrick (September 10, 2015). "'Purge 3' Castings: Universal/Blumhouse Pic Gears Up With Additions". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 13, 2018. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
11. ^ The character's real name was revealed as "Megan Lewis" in The Purge television series.
12. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (October 6, 2014). "'The Purge' Scares Up Third Film With Director James DeMonaco". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 12, 2020. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
13. ^ Smith, Andy (September 10, 2015). "Movie 'The Purge 3' to film in R.I." The Providence Journal. Archived from the original on October 20, 2015. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
14. ^ "Filming for 'Purge 3' begins in Woonsocket". valleybreeze.com. September 16, 2015. Archived from the original on October 20, 2015. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
15. ^ Heim, R.J. (September 17, 2015). "'Purge 3' begins shooting in Rhode Island". turnto10.com. Archived from the original on October 20, 2015. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
16. ^ "The Purge: Election Year (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)". Amazon.com. July 1, 2016. Archived from the original on July 25, 2021. Retrieved January 16, 2020.
17. ^ Stone, Natalie (January 8, 2015). "'The Purge 3' Gets 2016 Release Date". Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on August 9, 2020. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
18. ^ a b "The Purge: Election Year DVD Release Date October 4, 2016". DVDs Release Dates. Archived from the original on May 3, 2016. Retrieved May 4, 2018.
19. ^ The Purge: Election Year 4K Blu-ray, archived from the original on April 23, 2018, retrieved May 4, 2018
20. ^ "The Purge: Election Year (2016) - Financial Information". The Numbers. Archived from the original on July 24, 2023. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
21. ^ "The Purge: Election Year (2016)". Box Office Mojo. Archived from the original on January 9, 2015. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
22. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (March 30, 2017). "The Outliers Of 2016: Smaller Movies With Big Profits". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on March 31, 2017. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
23. ^ Lang, Brent (June 16, 2016). "'The BFG,' 'The Legend of Tarzan' Failing to Generate Much Box Office Heat". Variety. Archived from the original on June 17, 2016. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
24. ^ McNary, Dave (July 1, 2016). "Box Office: 'The Purge 3' Expunges 'Legend of Tarzan,' 'The BFG' on Thursday Night". Archived from the original on July 2, 2016. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
25. ^ "Box Office Mojo". www.boxofficemojo.com. Archived from the original on July 4, 2016. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
26. ^ "The Purge: Election Year (2016)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Archived from the original on August 28, 2016. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
27. ^ "The Purge: Election Year reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on February 17, 2016. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
28. ^ "CinemaScore". cinemascore.com. Archived from the original on September 16, 2017. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
29. ^ Scott, A. O. (June 30, 2016). "Review: 'The Purge: Election Year' Offers a Campaign Platform of Blood Lust". The New York Times. Archived from the original on June 30, 2016. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
30. ^ Lee, Ashley (April 8, 2016). "Universal, Fox Top Golden Trailer Awards Nominees". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on April 30, 2022. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
31. ^ Nolfi, Joey (May 5, 2016). "2016 Golden Trailer Awards winners list". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on April 30, 2022. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
32. ^ "People's Choice Awards 2017 Winners List". The Hollywood Reporter. January 18, 2017. Archived from the original on January 19, 2017. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
33. ^ Eisenberg, Eric (September 29, 2016). "This Is What The Purge 4 Will Be About". Archived from the original on November 8, 2020. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
34. ^ "New 'Purge' Movie Gets Summer 2018 Release Date". Hollywood Reporter. February 17, 2017. Archived from the original on February 18, 2017. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
35. ^ "Warning: The Next Purge Will Take Place on July 4, 2018". February 17, 2017. Archived from the original on February 18, 2017. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
36. ^ Evry, Max (July 20, 2017). "The Purge 4 Director Will be Burning Sands' Gerard McMurray". Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
37. ^ Collis, Clark (October 23, 2018). "The Purge creator says he's thought of a 'really cool' way to end film franchise". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on June 4, 2020. Retrieved July 2, 2020.
38. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (May 13, 2019). "Fifth 'Purge' Film Gets Summer 2020 Slaydate". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on May 13, 2019. Retrieved July 2, 2020.
39. ^ Kroll, Justin (August 1, 2019). "Next 'Purge' Installment Finds Director in 'Mars' Helmer (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on February 15, 2020. Retrieved July 2, 2020.
40. ^ Scott, Ryan (August 1, 2019). "The Purge 5 Gets TV Director Behind Luke Cage & Snowpiercer Series". MovieWeb. Archived from the original on December 10, 2019. Retrieved July 2, 2020.
41. ^ Scott, Ryan (September 15, 2021). "The Purge 6 Already Has A Script, Will Bring Frank Grillo Back To The Franchise". SlashFilm. Archived from the original on November 8, 2021. Retrieved November 8, 2021.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website
* The Purge: Election Year at IMDb
* The Purge: Election Year at Box Office Mojo
* The Purge: Election Year at the Internet Movie Firearms Database

* v
* t
* e

The Purge

Films|

* The Purge (2013)
* The Purge: Anarchy (2014)
* The Purge: Election Year (2016)
* The First Purge (2018)
* The Forever Purge (2021)

Television|

* The Purge (2018–2019)

Soundtracks|

* The Purge
* The Purge: Anarchy
* The Purge: Election Year
* The First Purge

Related articles|

* Meet the Blacks
* The Binge

* Category

* v
* t
* e

Works by James DeMonaco

Films written
and directed|

* Staten Island (2009)
* The Purge (2013)
* The Purge: Anarchy (2014)
* The Purge: Election Year (2016)
* This Is the Night (2021)
* The Home (2025)

Films written|

* Jack (1996)
* The Negotiator (1998)
* Assault on Precinct 13 (2005)
* Skinwalkers (2006)
* The First Purge (2018)
* The Forever Purge (2021)

TV series created|

* Ryan Caulfield: Year One (1999)
* The Kill Point (2007)
* The Purge (2018–19)

Related|

* The Purge (franchise)

Category

* v
* t
* e

Platinum Dunes

* Michael Bay
* Brad Fuller
* Andrew Form

Films|

| 2000s|

* The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003)
* The Amityville Horror (2005)
* The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning (2006)
* The Hitcher (2007)
* The Unborn (2009)
* Friday the 13th (2009)
* Horsemen (2009)

|

2010s|

* A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010)
* The Purge (2013)
* The Purge: Anarchy (2014)
* Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014)
* Ouija (2014)
* Project Almanac (2015)
* Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows (2016)
* The Purge: Election Year (2016)
* Ouija: Origin of Evil (2016)
* A Quiet Place (2018)
* The First Purge (2018)

2020s|

* Songbird (2020)
* A Quiet Place Part II (2020)
* The Forever Purge (2021)
* A Quiet Place: Day One (2024)
* Apartment 7A (2024)
* Drop (2025)

TV series|

* Black Sails (2014–17)
* The Last Ship (2014–18)
* Billion Dollar Wreck (2016)
* Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan (2018–23)
* The Purge (2018–19)

Related|

* Fully Formed Entertainment

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*[e]: Edit this template