The Forever Purge is a 2021 American dystopian action horror film directed by Everardo Gout and written by James DeMonaco. It is the fifth and final installment in the Purge franchise, which began in 2013 with the first movie of the same name. The film takes place after the events of the previous film, The Purge: Election Year, and follows a group of survivors who are forced to flee across the border to Mexico after a group of American extremists decides to continue the Purge indefinitely.
The Plot
The Forever Purge takes place in a world where the New Founding Fathers of America (NFFA) have been overthrown and replaced with a new government that has outlawed the annual Purge, a 12-hour period where all crime is legal, including murder. However, a group of American extremists, who call themselves the “Ever After Purge,” refuse to accept the new government and decide to continue the Purge indefinitely.
The film centers around a couple named Juan and Adela, who live in Texas near the border with Mexico. They work for a wealthy rancher named Caleb Tucker, who is a supporter of the new government and has a bunker to protect his family during the Purge. However, when the Ever After Purge begins, Caleb’s son Dylan, who has joined the group, betrays his family and allows the group to enter the bunker, where they kill Caleb and his wife, as well as their staff.
Juan, Adela, and a few others manage to escape the bunker and begin a journey to cross the border into Mexico. Along the way, they encounter other survivors and face numerous challenges, including being pursued by the Ever After Purge and encountering a group of vigilantes who are hunting down immigrants.
Themes and Social Commentary
One of the most prominent themes of The Forever Purge is the question of American exceptionalism and the idea that the United States is inherently better than other countries. The film challenges this notion by portraying a scenario where American citizens are fleeing to Mexico in order to escape violence and oppression. This theme is further explored through the character of Caleb Tucker, who is a wealthy white man and a supporter of the new government. Despite his status, he is unable to protect himself or his family from the violence of the Ever After Purge, highlighting the fragility of power and privilege.
Another theme that the film explores is the concept of borders and immigration. The protagonists are forced to cross the border into Mexico in order to escape the violence in the United States, and they encounter hostility from both American and Mexican characters. The film does not take a definitive stance on the issue but instead presents a complex and nuanced portrayal of the challenges faced by immigrants and refugees.
The Forever Purge also addresses the idea of extremism and the dangers of political polarization. The Ever After Purge is presented as a group of extremists who refuse to accept the legitimacy of the new government and are willing to resort to violence in order to achieve their goals. The film suggests that this kind of extremism is not limited to any particular political ideology but is a danger that exists across the political spectrum.
Features
The Forever Purge is a visually stunning and intense film, with excellent action sequences and impressive cinematography. The film’s use of lighting and color creates a sense of unease and tension, and the sound design is immersive and effective in creating a feeling of dread.
The film’s cast is also a major strength, with excellent performances from Ana de la Reguera and Tenoch Huerta as Juan and Adela. They have great chemistry and their relationship is one of the highlights of the film.
In addition, The Forever Purge also features some notable references to contemporary social and political issues. For example, there is a scene where a character wears a “Make America Great Again” hat, which has become a controversial symbol in American politics in recent years. This moment serves as a commentary on the divisive political climate in the United States and the way that political symbols can be co-opted and used to promote extremist ideologies.
Overall, The Forever Purge is a thrilling and thought-provoking film that offers a fresh take on the Purge franchise. The film’s exploration of themes such as American exceptionalism, immigration, extremism, and political polarization makes it a compelling piece of social commentary, while its intense action sequences and impressive cinematography make it a highly entertaining experience. Fans of the Purge franchise and anyone interested in dystopian or political thrillers will definitely want to check out this exciting and thought-provoking film.