The entertainment value is about the same as before, failing to change up the formula to a worthwhile degree – even if the finale (disappointingly doused in CG blood effects and largely repetitive) is appropriately action-packed and bloodthirsty.

| Original Score: 3/10 | Nov 8, 2024

Although it is fiction, its disturbing resemblance to reality makes this installment a minor entry within the saga, although it still maintains its validity as social criticism. [Full review in Spanish]

| Original Score: 6/10 | Sep 11, 2024

It is a confused movie for a confusing time.

| Original Score: C | May 9, 2024

Despite its goofiness and inflated sense of relevance, “The First Purge” is serviceable throwaway entertainment....But it’s still not a movie to recommend. It’s more of the same in slightly (and I do mean slightly) different packaging.

| Original Score: 2/5 | Aug 20, 2022

Placing its B-movie objectives above its political motivations, The First Purge misses an opportunity to be about something more.

| Original Score: 1.5/4 | Mar 11, 2022

...a mindless continuation of what was once an enticing franchise.

| Original Score: 20/100 | Aug 22, 2021

The First Purge is a horror/thriller about a social political experiment: in Staten Island, the rule of law is lifted for a period of twelve hours. On the surface, this is to relieve tension and anger; but underneath, there is an agenda.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Feb 1, 2021

This prequel, depicting how the concept of the Purge came to be, presents a deep, existential question which, by the day, seems to grow in power.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Jan 31, 2021

I liked it. I hated that I liked it. Then, I liked it some more.

| Original Score: 2.5/4.0 | Sep 7, 2020

It's shallow and pedantic exploitation wearing a dollar store mask to pass as social commentary.

| Original Score: 2/5 | Jul 25, 2020

The First Purge doesn't always hit its marks, and it's wildly up and down. But engaging leads, moments of raw tension and terror, and something to chew on, push the franchise ahead even while it looks back to the beginning.

| Original Score: B- | Jun 30, 2020

It's not that The First Purge is better or worse than the other chapters, but it is surprisingly relevant, timely and revolutionary in its message -- a very different, even empowering version of this story.

| Jun 17, 2020

Filled with shocking, racially and politically charged imagery, it's a film that doesn't hold anything back, but maybe that's what we need right now.

| May 29, 2020

After a slow start, The First Purge really rips.

| Mar 20, 2020

Unfortunately the characters are so poorly written that the political provocations hang in the air like birthday balloons.

| Mar 4, 2020

Ascribing it with the status of B-movie would be far too generous as it's so po-faced as it continuously delivers unrelenting over-the-top violence.

| Original Score: 2.5/5 | Jan 28, 2020

Visually, this film is the best of the franchise, which have always leaned heavily on good production design and let the cuts fall where they may.

| Jan 17, 2020

Enjoy this low key black person vs the system movie with its video game logic and a political heart between hamburgers and fireworks. Just make sure The Purge isn't happening in real life anytime soon.

| Original Score: 7/10 | Jan 10, 2020

The First Purge takes the series to new, gloriously radical heights in a powerful, if unsubtle, expression of the fear, frustration and anger of people of color in the United States.

| Original Score: 4.3/5 | Jan 7, 2020

The First Purge offers nothing new or exciting - it's not even suspenseful or scary.

| Oct 29, 2019