the purge was released in 2013 in its original timeline, and its success was the result of multiple factors.
The most important factor was the general environment, especially after the 2008 financial crisis, which led to a surge in bankrupt families and a significant increase in homelessness across America.
Social resentment also grew, the rate of gun violence increased year by year, and people needed an outlet for their frustrations. the purge perfectly aligned with the social psychology of the time.
Additionally, while the male lead, Ethan Hawke, never became a huge star, he had gained recognition over the years and carved out a niche in the art house film scene.
The female lead was Lena Headey, whose fame soared with her role as Cersei in Game of Thrones, and those two years were her peak.
Although her peak might only reach the knees of an A-list actress, the two still had a bit of box office appeal—not much, but it was there.
However, the original plot was truly terrible; it was heavily criticized and received very low ratings in China, and it was similarly panned in America.
For example, the two children were problematic, had negative intelligence, didn't trust their father on the purge night, yet were overflowing with a'savior complex' to take in outsiders and a boyfriend. The only normal person in the family was the father, but unfortunately, he was indirectly killed by his wife and the troublesome children.
The masked villains, on the other hand, started strong but ended weakly. They initially appeared very formidable.
Especially the leader, who shot one of his own men, seemed utterly unhinged, acting like a big boss.
Yet, they were easily wiped out, pure clowns compared to the sense of oppression they initially created.
Such a terrible plot might have succeeded in 2013, but it's genuinely questionable whether it would have worked in 2003.
So, when writing the script outline, Eric simply abandoned the first film and started directly from the second installment, which had the highest ratings in the series: the purge: Anarchy.
After all, the first and second films are independent stories, so starting with either one is completely unaffected.
Moreover, he made significant changes to the story of the second film, shifting the focus from highlighting the individual protagonists to emphasizing class conflict and social chaos.
Finally, Eric also changed the male lead's ending. In the original plot, he inexplicably became soft-hearted and couldn't kill his enemy.
The problem is, he's a cold-blooded SEAL member who planned for a year, only to give up at the last moment. This ending severely fractured the character's personality.
So, Eric changed it so that the male lead decisively killed his enemy. The entire film's plot remained dark from beginning to end, without a trace of sunshine or a twist.
If you're going to play, play to the extreme. A completely dark ending would make the film seem deeper.
Finding a corner to sit in, it was as expected; there were relatively few people in the cinema hall, only 15 including Eric and Nicole.
The lights dimmed, and the cinema hall plunged into darkness.
Nicole removed her disguise and helped Eric take off his mask. The two naturally kissed, both knowing the other wanted it.
A few minutes later, their tongues parted, and Nicole let out a long breath.
"Finally, I can breathe. Wearing a mask and hat in summer is truly unbearable."
Eric handed her a cold Coca-Cola from his side. "Then drink some. Happy Fat Boy Water, what was Coca-Cola's slogan again?"
Nicole quickly turned her head away. "No, I'll drink juice. Coke makes you fat."
"What's wrong with being a little fat? Didn't I say I hoped you'd gain weight?"
"Hmph! Dream on!"
Nicole wrinkled her cute nose.
On the big screen, a shark, symbolizing AK Films, swam by, and the movie officially began.
Since the plot was an adaptation of the second generation, the story background had to be clearly explained, so the opening part was similar to the first film.
During the voiceover, a series of blurry surveillance camera videos flashed by, giving a sense of realism.
People in the videos engaged in various acts of killing—guns, forks, clubs, even kitchen knives. There were home invasions and random street killings, like a documentary.
"In 2025, the global economy stagnated, and the population surged. As a former superpower, America was not immune to falling into the trap."
"Unemployment rates skyrocketed year by year. Financial crises, rampant gun violence, widespread drug abuse, immigration issues, racial conflicts, and other deep-seated social problems erupted simultaneously. The lower classes grew increasingly dissatisfied with society and the government, leading to frequent violent incidents and a crazy surge in crime rates."
"To allow the public to vent their suppressed frustrations and dissatisfaction, and to optimize the population structure, the American government formulated and implemented a new policy: the purge!"
"From 7 PM on March 21st to 7 AM on March 22nd each year, nationwide no-responsibility killing is enacted. Police, fire departments, hospitals, and all other public service systems are suspended."
"Except for officials of Level 10 and above, killing anyone incurs no legal responsibility. And this year marks the ninth year of the purge."
After watching the background introduction, Nicole nodded slightly. "A good idea. Setting the world's strongest country, America, as a nation riddled with problems creates a sense of contrast."
"Heh heh, do you really think these problems are purely fictional? Take the three major issues of guns, drugs, and race—aren't they starkly before us even now?" Eric retorted with a smile.
"That's true. So it's a future conjecture based on reality, then," Nicole said after thinking for a moment.
"You could understand it that way. People often post related arguments and discussions online, don't they?"
"Really? I haven't paid attention to that. But this setup reminds me of a Japanese film from a few years ago."
"battle royale, is that what you're thinking of?"
"Exactly. But it's just a similar feeling; if you think about it closely, they're not the same. I'm actually looking forward to the rest of the story."
Eric pulled her onto his lap and began to make out, oblivious to others. It was pitch dark, and no one in the back corner cared anyway.
More importantly, the other audience members, who had just been chatting and laughing, were now captivated by the movie, all intently watching the big screen, with not a single extraneous sound.
"Baby, this isn't really appropriate, and I still want to watch the movie," Nicole said, slightly out of breath.
Eric's hand traced her neck, making her shiver. That was her sensitive spot.
"I'm telling you, darling, there's really nothing good to watch. If you think this is a profound classic like battle royale, I'm telling you, you're wrong. This is a bloody, violent action film."
"Don't forget the production company is AK Films. Its previous work was sharknado. I remember you even went to the cinema to see it, didn't you?"
A strange expression appeared on Nicole's face. "Now that you mention it, I think I understand. Okay, it seems I overestimated it, but it really is a bit of a waste of this subject matter and setting."
"As long as it makes money, baby. You have your la vie en rose for art films."
Nicole's fingers gently traced Eric's face. "In that case, let me tease you properly."
As she spoke, her hand had already slipped inside Eric's clothes.
As the two flirted in the corner, the violent game had already begun on the big screen.
Eric didn't recognize any of the actors; there wasn't even anyone like Evangeline Lilly, who would become hugely popular a decade later.
That could only mean one thing: these people were unlucky in their previous lives, but in this life, they were chosen as lucky ones.
Perhaps because of this the purge, big stars who shouldn't have appeared originally would gradually rise in Hollywood.
Bang bang!
In the movie, the rich, government forces, rebels, and the lower classes appeared in turn, with various plots challenging human moral bottom lines unfolding.
The poor, unable to protect themselves, were hunted, while the rich paid for the lives of the poor as entertainment.
The government, feeling that not enough common people had died, simply descended to massacre them, but this also gave rise to the rebel organization.
The rebels could use the cover of the purge to slaughter the rich and plunder their wealth, while also recruiting the poor who couldn't protect themselves to swell their ranks, constantly growing stronger.
Raging fires burned in the streets. Cars left over from the filming of transformers were used for burning, depicting the entire city as a living hell.
The few audience members watched with relish, occasionally exclaiming as if they were right there.
In the corner, Eric was biting Nicole.
She had her eyes tightly closed, hugging Eric's head and pressing down hard, emitting faint moans.
Explosion!
Boom!
"Yeah!"
The violent explosion sent limbs flying. The gladiatorial arena, used by the rich for their hunting games, was blown up and burned, immediately eliciting shouts from a few young people in the cinema hall.
"Can you be quiet? You startled me!" someone complained.
"I'm sorry, I just couldn't help it."
"Control yourself, it's just a movie."
"Yes, yes, but it's really f*cking exciting!"
On screen, the exchange of fire between government forces and rebels continued, bullets flying, constantly turning people into sieves.
Later, rocket launchers and grenades were even added for a bombardment, but the low-quality special effects still instantly reminded one of sharknado.
Since the rebels were inferior to the government forces in both personnel quality and firepower, they hastily retreated after leaving dozens of bodies behind.
Cannons roared on the screen, and cannons similarly boomed in the cinema.
After another passionate kiss, the two returned to sitting side-by-side.
By this time, the sun had risen on the big screen, and the 7 o'clock chimes on March 22nd rang out, signaling the end of the annual Purge.
The camera then zoomed out, showing a wide shot of the survivors gradually gathering in the square, praying before the central statue of Washington.
"Thank you, victims of the purge. It is your sacrifice that has created a safer nation."
"Thank you for your contributions to the nation, thank you for your contributions to humanity."
"May God be with you!"
"God bless America, a nation reborn!"
The movie ended with this increasingly distant shot, full of absurdity and irony.
The lights in the cinema hall came back on. Eric and Nicole had already changed their disguises and waited for the other audience members to leave first.
The young man who had shouted earlier was discussing the plot with his friends.
"Garfield, I told you this movie would definitely be great. So satisfying!"
His companion also said, still absorbed, "I completely agree with you. The legal Purge Day, what a compelling concept."
"I'm going back to tell Millie and them that this is more exciting than the matrix. What's virtual and what's real? I can't understand that stuff at all."
Nearby, a man who appeared to be in his thirties couldn't help but scoff, "I admit this movie is okay, but it has too many plot holes. Better than the matrix? What a joke."
Hearing this, the young man immediately glared at the other. "We're talking, do you need to butt in?"
The man opened his mouth, wanting to say something more, but seeing that the other party had three people while he was alone, he paused and then turned to leave.
"Hahahahaha"
The three young people immediately burst into exaggerated laughter, as if they had won a battle.
After everyone had left, Eric and Nicole stood up and departed.
"the purge's box office shouldn't be bad," Nicole said.
"Why? You didn't even watch the plot."
Bang!
"You annoying guy! It's all because of you that I didn't watch!"
"Hahaha, then why do you assert that the box office won't be bad?"
"It's simple, because it appeals to its audience. Look at these young people; it's clear the movie will be popular among this group."
"Then what do you think the box office will reach?"
Nicole shook her head. "I don't know, but I don't think it will reach the heights of sharknado."
"Why?" Eric looked at her curiously.
"It's simple. sharknado is a purely spoof film. Although it's terrible, it's suitable for all ages. Once people spread the word, the psychology of appreciating the absurd will drive everyone into cinemas."
"the purge, however, isn't that kind of film. It's a normal narrative film. Its reputation will definitely be stronger than sharknado's, but it won't attract as many viewers as sharknado. So, I think its box office is highly unlikely to surpass the latter."
After hearing Nicole's analysis, Eric looked at her with some surprise. "My dear, I didn't realize you had a talent for being an analyst."
"Hmph! Don't underestimate me! I don't just know about making movies; I also understand business. In Australia, I've already bought thousands of acres of land."
"That's impressive!" Eric feigned surprise.
"Of course. If MGM goes bankrupt someday, big sis will support you!"
"Hahahaha, who knows, that day might really come. I'll thank you in advance then."
"Thank me sincerely, no joking around!"
"Okay, thank you for being willing to support me, your pretty boy, Nicole."
"What did you call me?"
"Darling."
"Say it again!"
"Baby."
"Say it again!"
"Wife."
"That's more like it!"