‘The Purge: Election Year’ Surges on Streaming as Trump Takes Office

by

It can’t be argued that Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20 stirred a wide range of feelings. Some are optimistic he’ll serve American citizens well, while others are less convinced. In these times of unpredictability, film enthusiasts are resorting to their favorite pastime – finding solace in movies. Interestingly, just under 24 hours after Trump took the oath as the 47th President of the United States, a fittingly titled movie is gaining popularity: “The Purge: Election Year.

According to current rankings, as of this moment, Max claims that “The Purge: Election Year” is positioned fifth on the streamer’s Top 10 movies list. It’s nestled between Ben Affleck’s “The Accountant” and Clint Eastwood’s “Juror #2.” This movie was released back in 2016, making it the third film in the “Purge” series, which began with the original in 2013, followed by “The Purge: Anarchy” in 2014.

At the time of its premiere, responses to the dystopian political thriller film titled “The Purge: Election Year” were varied. Some critics dismissed it as just a superficial spectacle, while others appreciated it as a relevant cinematic work, acknowledging that despite its lack of subtlety, it effectively intertwined political commentary with enough action to keep fans of the franchise content. On Rotten Tomatoes, “The Purge: Election Year” currently holds a 55% rating from critics and an audience score of 48%, placing it squarely in the middle among the five films in the series produced so far.

What is ‘The Purge: Election Year’ About?

In The Purge: Election Year, starring Frank Grillo, Elizabeth Mitchell, and Mykelti Williamson, the plot revolves around Senator Charlene “Charlie” Roan, portrayed by Mitchell. As a young girl, she witnessed her family’s murder during Purge night. Now in a position of power, she is campaigning for President on a platform to abolish the Purge forever. However, her path to victory is obstructed by the New Founding Fathers of America and their candidate, Minister Edwidge Owens, who declares that government officials lose their immunity during the Purge, making Roan and her ideals fair game.

During the journey, there is betrayal, violence, and Grillo excelling at what he does – delivering fierce beatdowns. Yet, this isn’t what the film became famous for. When Trump assumed office in 2017, he swiftly declared his re-election with the FCC, signaling his plans for 2020. His re-election campaign slogan, “Keep America Great,” coincidentally matched the marketing tagline for The Purge: Election Year. Some couldn’t help but notice similarities between the movie and the Trump administration, which often threatened its political adversaries if they didn’t submit to their leader.

Irrespective of your political views, The Purge: Election Year seems particularly relevant these days. With uncertainty about the next four years looming, it seems that many are turning to art for solace, just as they did in 2020 when COVID-19 emerged and movies like Contagion and Outbreak became popular. If you’re in need of a brief escape, I recommend giving The Purge: Election Year a watch. It’s currently streaming on Max.

Read More

2025-01-21 19:01