Movie review: The Purge

RATING: 4/5

It's 2022 and the US has solved its high crime rate with an annual 12-hour "purge" in which all crime, including murder, is legal.

An all-American family - handsome dad (Ethan Hawke), gorgeous wife (Lena Headey), sullen teenage daughter and techie son (Adelaide Kane and Max Burkholder) - are about to spend those 12 hours as they always do, behind the comfort of their home security system, watching other people get their criminal catharsis on through their security cameras.

Alas, this year, things aren't going to go as smoothly and the family soon realise that security systems can't keep out murderous college kids.

It's a wonderfully provocative idea that unfortunately unfolds as just another slash-and-smash horror flick.

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