By Lee Romero
Is America’s downward spiral fact or fiction?
As a concept for a film, THE PURGE (2013) was an interesting piece to soak in. A glimpse into the malicious and spiteful minds created by mankind to go against mankind. Utilizing a backdrop between the haves and the have nots, it was a sinister form of bullying on steroids. Overall, it was interesting and thought-provoking in many ways. Followed by a few sequels, this series utilized other concepts to keep “purging.” After a while it did wear itself out and just when you thought it was done; it’s safe to say those behind the curtain were observing the nation. Studying planted seeds into what these films have been presenting (or warning) during the last few years. To say we live in polarizing times would be an understatement. Thank you, America! Our way of life seems to be “imitating art.”
Eight years later, the ante is beyond up’d as rules have been flushed down the toilet, when an underground cult-of-hate knows as “Ever After” decide that one night of purging isn’t enough. In THE FOREVER PURGE Adela (Ana de la Reguera) and her husband Juan (Tenoch Huerta) live in Texas, where Juan is working as a ranch hand for the wealthy Tucker family. Juan impresses the Tucker patriarch, Caleb (Will Patton), but that fuels the jealous anger of Caleb’s son, Dylan (Josh Lucas). Upon working through differences, both sides need to pair off for purposes of survival as unexpected ugliness effect both sides following what would have been the law-abiding morning after America’s Purge.
Well… this is a crazy flick! A bit of a slow burn at first, but its grunge doesn’t fail to show its face. In many ways it’s full of ironies, therefore, I can already hear or read how the series has really gotten political. Politics has always played a role, but this time, it’s going to ignite a lot of sensitivity considering its subject matter. Just when I thought this series had nowhere else to go, America literally provides it with a fantastic narrative inundated with social distortion — and I’m not surprised! The film’s grittiness is as welcoming as its violent exposition. It’s designed for its fanbase as it uses our polarizing times as backdrop upon white supremacy, illegal immigration, split outlook among what America is and/or should be, and the rest of the world watching a nation in peril.
Will this franchise ever end? Who know? While it’s not the worst, it isn’t the best in the series either. There are drags and downers, but it keeps fanning the flames of where “the greatest country in the world” can lean towards if we are not careful, and because of it, the film is as frightening as it is disturbingly entertaining. This piece will be a love it or hate it type. As we know, not everyone enjoys looking at themselves in a mirror. THE FOREVER PURGE isn’t for everyone, but something everyone should watch. Why? Because this can very well be us. Never say never, ‘cause you never know. Enjoy! As long as ‘merica continues its unpredictable behavior of ignorance and intolerance, this franchise has the potential to keep breathing. Is that a good thing?
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Genre: Thriller / Rated: R / Run Time: 1:43
Starring: Ana de la Reguera, Tenoch Huerta, Josh Lucas, Cassidy Freeman, Leven Rambin, Alejandro Edda and Will Patton
Directed by Everardo Gout
