What would happen in a society where, for one night each year, any crime is legal? The horror-thriller The Purge: Anarchy starts from this chilling premise, plunging viewers into a night of chaos, violence, and survival. Released in 2014 as a direct follow-up to The Purge (2013), this sequel heightens both suspense and social commentary, exposing the stark inequalities and simmering tensions lurking beneath the surface of a seemingly orderly society.
With mixed reviews yet solid box‑office returns, the film still resonates in 2025, especially for viewers who enjoy horror with a political edge. Just added to Netflix, The Purge: Anarchy has already climbed into the platform’s top 10 most-watched films. Here is everything you need to know about The Purge: Anarchy – from the plot and cast to reviews and release date. The trailer is at the bottom of the article.
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The Purge: Anarchy – all the key details
- Title: The Purge: Anarchy
- Format: Film
- Length / Runtime: 1h 43min
- Genre: Dystopian action / horror
- Country of production: United States
- Original language: English
- Release date: July 18, 2014
- Director / Creator: James DeMonaco
- Lead cast: Frank Grillo; Carmen Ejogo; Zach Gilford; Kiele Sanchez
- Produced by: Blumhouse Productions; Platinum Dunes; Why Not Productions; Universal Pictures
What The Purge: Anarchy is about
Set in a near‑future America where the government allows one night each year during which all crime, even murder, is legal, The Purge: Anarchy expands the story from a single household to the chaotic streets of the city. The action takes place in Los Angeles in 2023, following several individuals and couples as they struggle to survive the night of the annual purge.
One of the central figures is a sergeant, Leo Barnes, driven by vengeance for his son’s death, who enters purge night with a mission. What he finds instead is a group of ordinary people – a mother and daughter, a distressed married couple – whose survival depends on him and each other. The film explores themes of class, control, and what happens when society’s most volatile impulses are given official sanction. While the premise is violent and grim, the atmosphere leans into paranoia, urgency, and the breakdown of trust as the night progresses.
Cast and main characters
Frank Grillo plays Leo Barnes, the ex-police sergeant whose personal tragedy sets him on a path into the Purge. Having lost his son, Leo’s mission for revenge is deeply personal, but he must adapt when things do not go as planned. Carmen Ejogo appears as Eva Sanchez, a working-class mother trying to protect her daughter during the carnage. Her performance anchors one of the film’s emotional cores.
Zach Gilford and Kiele Sanchez play Shane and Liz, respectively – a married couple whose car breaks down just as the purge begins, thrusting them into the night’s chaos. Supporting them is Zoë Soul as Cali, Eva’s daughter, along with Michael Kenneth Williams in a resistance-activist role that highlights the political underbelly of the purge event. While the performances may not have drawn major awards, the cast helped shift the tone of the franchise from tight-space horror to wide-scale urban survival drama.
Is it based on a true story?
No – The Purge: Anarchy is not based on an actual event or specific true story. The film is an original narrative created by James DeMonaco, building on the premise introduced in the first film in the franchise. The concept – an annual purging event legalized by the government – remains firmly in the realm of speculative dystopia and fiction, though the social commentary touches on real-world issues of violence, inequality, and political control.
Our review
Beyond its thrills and action, The Purge: Anarchy offers a surprisingly sharp commentary on social inequality and systemic injustice. By depicting a society where the wealthy can protect themselves while the vulnerable are left to fend for their lives, the film highlights the stark divisions of real-world communities. The purge itself becomes a metaphor for unchecked power and the consequences of a system that sanctions violence in the name of “order.” While it is easy to get lost in the suspense and chaos, the story forces viewers to confront questions about morality, privilege, and the fragility of societal structures.
Filming locations
The film was shot in Los Angeles, California, using its urban landscape to amplify the sense of chaos and lawlessness once the purge begins. The decision to move beyond a single house, as in the first film, gave the production more room to show varied environments, from city streets to underground tunnels, a shift that added to the film’s tension and scope.
Release date on streaming
The film is available on Netflix starting November 1, 2025 ► Watch on Netflix
