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And that’s kind of the problem. Let me explain. James Sandin (Ethan Hawke) is a charismatic and successful salesman of home security systems. So successful, in fact, that he’s earned top honors for the year. He’s even hooked up nearly all of his neighbors with state-of-the-art, Purge-proof home security solutions. It’s been such a great year that he and his enchanting wife Mary (Lena Headey) have just finished an addition to their house. His son Charlie (Max Burkholder) is an adorably eccentric Old Soul. Daughter Zoey (Adelaide Kane) is surly and rebellious, but at least she comes home every night.

As far as James is concerned, he’s the luckiest man in the world. He plans to spend Purge night with his family, barricaded from the ugliness outside by the latest in Murder Deterrence technology. The best part of the film is the first act, where James does his best Ward Cleaver impression in a futile attempt to diffuse the meter-thick layer of tension The Purge has cast over his home. Television coverage of the event makes it obvious that the Festival everyone credits with saving society is, for some, little more than an excuse to prey on the most vulnerable members of society.

By relieving America of the poor, the homeless and anyone else who can’t afford to ride it out, Purge Night has revitalized America’s economy! But much like James’ family, there seems to be a national malaise brewing beneath the surface.

Think about it. If you have the means and the money, you can insulate yourself from Purge Night. And if you don’t, then you are entirely at the mercy of anyone less merciful than you. You think flat screen TV’s are cheap now? After three or four Purges, when the population of the United States has plummeted to 120 million, you’ll be able to buy 60 inch, 4K HDTVs in three packs, just like Lysol. What’s to keep Purge Night from eventually becoming a never ending, whirling dervish of vengeance and death?

Okay, maybe the main plot thread of the movie is as easy to swallow as day-old oatmeal - if taken literally. But the Purge is unsustainable madness. It’s nothing short of state sanctioned genocide.

Zoey is so distraught over it that she’s developed a smart mouth, and has taken up with older boys. Charlie is a bright and insightful boy who’s clearly been wrestling with this as long as he’s been able to understand English. He mournfully asks his parents what the point of it all is. James and Mary are clearly uncomfortable with the tradition, and do not want their kids to view them as savages. But it’s a grave social faux pas badmouth Purge Night, to the point where you’d think everyone’s house is being monitored. Plus, what can you do? It’s the way things are, and the Sandins are rich enough that they can turn their backs on it.

The interesting thing is that on some level they seem to understand this about each other, and the last family dinner they have before Lockdown actually goes pretty well. But of course, something has to go wrong – or it’d be a pretty short film. Using the home’s surveillance system, Bleeding Heart Charlie spots a badly injured Wanderer (Edwin Hodge) in the street, being pursued by an exceedingly Polite Mob. Out of compassion, Charlie lets the Wanderer in the house, enraging the Polite Leader (Rhys Wakefield). There’s some sort of unspoken, gentrified code of conduct among the well-to-do that compels the Polite Leader to issue James a deadline, after which they claim they can bypass the security system and storm the house.

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