The Forever Purge (2021)

Directed by: Everardo Gout | 103 minutes | action, horror | Actors: Ana de la Reguera, Tenoch Huerta, Josh Lucas, Leven Rambin, Cassidy Freeman, Alejandro Edda, Will Patton, Will Brittain, Sammi Rotibi, Zahn McClarnon, Gary Nohealii, Gregory Zaragoza, Brett Edwards, Carol Cantu, Keenan Henson

In ‘The Purge 5’ as ‘The Forever Purge’ is popularly called, you get a good shot of violence again. Set in a fictional America, this franchise pits you against a country that has decided to legalize murder and manslaughter once a year. You can kill with impunity overnight. After four parts, this concept was sufficiently milked out and that’s why the fifth part takes a different tack: people now kill all day long!

It is special to note that this concept still feels somewhat fresh. Just about every slasher adopts this idea, but in ‘The Purge’ saga, however, this is something innovative. The decor is also new. This time, the filming is not in a clinical-looking American city, but a desert-like setting has been chosen. So far the biggest changes that director Everardo Valerio Gout is making.

In ‘The Forever Purge’, a young couple is on the run from a Mexican drug cartel. The duo hides on a Texas ranch in hopes of finding peace. So far, so good. But then the couple must face off against some villains on Purge Night. However, these guys don’t keep to the curfew and want to continue their killing spree!

What sets ‘The Purge’ franchise apart from other slashers is the political sauce. The contrasts between rich and poor and white and black come to the fore. The underclass is portrayed as victims, while the elite is portrayed as savage who get high on a display of power. It’s clear that the rednecks going wild on the ranch are modeled after Trump supporters. These far-right tokkies rage like a beast and don’t seem too intelligent.

However, the political sauce is so over the top and the presentation is so succinct that it cannot be taken seriously. ‘The Forever Purge’ is therefore not a political thriller, but a fairly standard horror thriller with a slightly topical tinge. Silly, but also entertaining. Too bad there isn’t an appealing cast. An actor like Frank Grillo – who appeared in parts 2 and 3 – is therefore sorely missed. What remains is an entertaining pulp film that looks good. A tight enough.