Synopsis
One night per year, the government sanctions a 12-hour period in which citizens can commit any crime they wish -- including murder -- without fear of punishment or imprisonment. Leo, a sergeant who lost his son, plans a vigilante mission of revenge during the mayhem. However, instead of a death-dealing avenger, he becomes the unexpected protector of four innocent strangers who desperately need his help if they are to survive the night.
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Cast
- Frank GrilloSergeant
- Carmen EjogoEva Sanchez
- Zach GilfordShane
- Michael Kenneth WilliamsCarmelo
- Kiele SanchezLiz
- Zoë SoulCali
- Edwin HodgeThe Stranger
- Justina MachadoTanya
- John BeasleyPapa Rico
- Jack ConleyBig Daddy
Recommendations
- 78
Austin Chronicle
The story has a welcome sense of continuous momentum, and what’s more, DeMonaco has a better handle on both his skewering of the entitled upper class (not as pointed as Paul Verhoeven’s ultraviolent satire, but a start) and the righteous anger of the targeted lower class (personified by Michael K. Williams’ resistance leader, Carmelo). - 75
IndieWire
The movie's potential blossoms whenever it toys with the allegorical ingredients head-on. DeMonaco's script plays like a devious Brothers Grimm tale told through the filter of Occupy Wall Street. - 67
The A.V. Club
Retains the original’s premise and politics, but actually puts them to use. - 63
Slant Magazine
DeMonaco may doubly, sometimes triply, underline the story's governing theme of social power and how it's exchanged, but the rage and lucidity of these ideas resonate. - 50
The Dissolve
It needs to be emphasized again for the record that The Purge: Anarchy is a tremendously stupid film... But there’s an almost-camp quality to how DeMonaco takes this stupidity to greater heights, building a complex mythology around the plot like a giant moat around a pillow fort. - 40
Variety
For all the philosophical and metaphorical shortcomings of his script, however, DeMonaco is an efficient orchestrator of action. - 38
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
It’s preachier, more diverse in its casting. All of which make it more specific and limit it. Throw in generally lackluster performances and illogical plot twists and “Anarchy” is seriously crippled. - 33
The Playlist
This one veers further from actual horror into an action picture. “The Purge” tries to unsettle. The Purge: Anarchy wants you to cheer.
