Overview
The Purge: Anarchy is a 2014 American dystopian action horror film directed by James DeMonaco, who also wrote the screenplay. It serves as the second installment in The Purge franchise, following the 2013 film The Purge. The film was produced by Blumhouse Productions in association with Platinum Dunes and released by Universal Pictures.
Plot
The narrative expands the premise introduced in the first film: an annual 12‑hour period during which all crime, including homicide, is temporarily decriminalized by the United States government. Set in Los Angeles, the story follows several characters who become entangled in the night’s chaos after a young couple, James Sandin (Frank Grillo) and his wife Evelyn (Zoe Saldaña), attempt to rescue their son from an ambush. The plot interweaves multiple storylines, including a paramedic (Michael K. Williams), a teenage couple (Max Burkholder and Lex Scott Davis), and a police officer (Megan Fox), depicting their attempts to survive and protect others as societal order collapses.
Cast
- Frank Grillo as James Sandin
- Zoe Saldaña as Evelyn Sandin
- Michael K. Williams as Leo Barnes
- Carmen Ejogo as Jenna Marshall
- Carmen Electra as Dr. Naomi Roan
- Megan Fox as Selena "Lena" Carter
- Edwin Hodge as Marcus
Production
Filming commenced in February 2014 and took place primarily in Los Angeles, California. James DeMonaco returned as director and writer, aiming to broaden the scope of the series by moving beyond a single household setting to depict a citywide environment. The production budget was estimated at $9 million, a modest increase from the first film’s budget.
Release
The Purge: Anarchy premiered in the United States on July 18, 2014. It was distributed in both conventional and IMAX formats. The film opened at number one at the domestic box office, grossing approximately $55 million in its opening weekend and ultimately earning over $130 million worldwide.
Reception
Critical response was mixed. Review aggregators reported a Rotten Tomatoes approval rating of approximately 41 % and a Metacritic score in the mid‑40s, indicating mixed or average reviews. Critics commonly praised the film’s expanded world‑building and action sequences while noting that it lacked the thematic depth of its predecessor. Audience reception, measured by CinemaScore, yielded a grade of “B‑,” reflecting a generally favorable but not enthusiastic viewer response.
Themes and Analysis
The film continues to explore sociopolitical commentary on lawlessness, class disparity, and governmental authority. By situating multiple characters from varied socioeconomic backgrounds within the same chaotic environment, the narrative examines how the Purge’s decriminalization policy differentially impacts individuals.
Sequels and Franchise
Following The Purge: Anarchy, the franchise continued with The Purge: Election Year (2016), The First Purge (2018), and The Forever Purge (2021). The series has also expanded into television with the anthology series The Purge (2018–2019).
References
- Universal Pictures press releases (2014)
- Box Office Mojo, “The Purge: Anarchy” box office data
- Rotten Tomatoes, “The Purge: Anarchy” critical aggregation
- Metacritic, “The Purge: Anarchy” score summary.