As a speculative writer, I love a good near-future scenario, and I wrote about how The Purge is one of them. While the first film did a good job of introducing us to the world through the lens of a specific family, the sequel promised to take us on a ride through the mayhem.

Summary

The sequel follows a party of people stuck outside their homes at the time of the Purge: a woman and her daughter (Carmen Ejogo and Zoe Soul), a couple that is separating (Zach Gilford and Kiele Sanchez), and a man who wants to avenge his son’s murder (Frank Grillo).

Entertainment Value

• We get to go outside!!!
• Bigger weapons, like a guy with a .50 caliber belt-fed machine gun shooting from the back of a semi truck.
• The prey fight back against their rich predators.

Dark Muse Value

• Does each person have an inner beast?
• If we want to change how the powerful treat people, is the only solution to give them a taste of their own medicine?
• Should the cleansing for wrongdoing rest with those wronged or with those who wrong? In other words, is victims pursuing vengeance more effective than wrongdoers seeking forgiveness at bringing about healing?

Verdict: WATCH