The Purge and Politics: The Dark Connection Between Elections and Fear

FrewFilm Movie Review

This week we are going to talk about one of my personal, deepest, and intricate horrors. The Purge. 

“Tonight, we’ll see the good and evil in everyone.” – Dr. Updale in "The First Purge" movie (2018)

This successful franchise is a series of dystopian horror films set in a near-future America where the government has sanctioned an annual event called “The Purge.” For one night each year, all crime, including murder, is legal for 12 hours, allowing citizens to “purge” their violent tendencies without consequence. Initially presented as a way to reduce crime and foster societal order, the movement reveals unsettling truths about social control, class divisions, and government manipulation.

The Purge: Election Year (2016)

In The Purge: Election Year (released in 2016 during specifically the July 4th weekend), the production takes a more politically charged turn. Focusing on the impact of The Purge on marginalized communities and exploring themes of power and resistance. The story follows Senator Charlie Roan, a presidential candidate who campaigns to end The Purge, believing it to be a brutal and unjust mechanism that disproportionately targets the poor and vulnerable. Her stance threatens the ruling party, which aims to eliminate her during The Purge night to maintain their control. This installment was a critique to the political power dynamics and societal inequities. Making it particularly resonant during election season.

This fictional scenario feels especially relevant around the social stress about elections because it shows how political manipulation, fear, and social division play out in extreme ways. Characters, like the Senator, became memorable because of their fight to end The Purge, and stand up for the people that isn't being benefit from it (much like none benefit and just dying). That shows the clash between everyday citizens and those in power. These series taps into the frustrations, voter concerns, inequality, and the lengths some leaders might go to far to hold onto power. 

It’s a gripping, exaggerated look at what can happen when leaders prioritize control over people’s well-being.

Have you ever wondered what happens between Purge and Purge?

The Purge TV series takes a closer look at the lives of ordinary people trying to survive in a world where all crime is legal for one night each year. Across its two seasons, the show dives into what happens between Purge nights, exposing the fear, tension, and hidden agendas that shape people’s lives year-round. It dives into the emotional impact as well, showing how people cope with trauma and guilt, or the loss of loved ones.

How do they clean the mess? There is a “clean-up crew”. Alongside entrepreneurs and a government-funded team, a comprehend effort comes in after Purge night to sweep the streets, clear away bodies, repair damage, and make everything look normal again, as if nothing happened. This cleanup system  symbolized to me how the government wants to hide the dark reality of The Purge and keep people coming back to “normal” life, so they get used to and keep accepting it. 

I bet the first Purge was shocking to everyone. But, after 10 years of ‘celebrating’ it, it’s almost become normalized. Just like how Halloween, with its roots in darker rituals and beliefs, is now a widely accepted holiday we look forward to each year. It’s interesting how time can change our perception of things.

Stream The Purge for the Election-Season Thrills

As election season ramps up, The Purge franchise offers a unique mix of horror and political insight that feels especially timely. If you’re looking for a binge that taps into themes of power, control, and societal tension, this is the perfect series to dive into. From the gritty streets of The Purge: Anarchy to the high-stakes drama of The Purge: Election Year, these movies bring a thrilling look at what happens when fear and power collide.

You can catch The Purge TV series and all the movies on Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and Peacock and see what life would be in a world where all rules are broken once a year.

If you want to watch The Purge franchise in a linear, chronological order based on the story timeline (not the release dates), here’s the order that makes the most sense:

1. The First Purge 
2. The Purge
3. The Purge: Anarchy
4. The Purge (TV Series, 2018-2019)
5. The Purge: Election Year
6. The Forever Purge

Note: I recommend you to watch the TV Series before the Election Year film. However, if you are not familiar with the franchise, I would say watch it at the end since it fills a lot of gaps between dates.