User reviews

8/10 🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠 = Heavy Praise

Season 1 for The Purge TV series isn't that different from the movie itself. There are characters who have a small storyline that occurs throughout the nite during the purge which they extended through 10 episodes. Season 2 however is a much deeper and expanded out look answering the question we've all been quietly asking ourselves since the first movie was released in 2013, How does the city go about life the other 364 days of the year. What is revealed is a riveting portrayal of rules we knew nothing about. From the start we even meet the amazing voice actor behind the infamous woman who conducts the announcements. Yes I understand most people watch The Purge because of the violence and gore, I myself am a big fan of disturbing movies. I've seen the most sick and disgusting movies ever filmed throughout the world so I'm not squeamish but the scene featuring the murder of the strawberry dairy farmer is nothing to balk at for a TV series. It may only last about 30 seconds but the scene is very graphic and horrifying due to it's realistic appearance and overly harsh tone.

People by now should understand and have a good grasp of the many terrifying ways someone can be killed or hunted down during those 12 hours murder becomes legal. But fans should be anxious to learn more and commend the writers, showrunners and directors for keeping the story relevant and entertaining as it continues to grow and evolve. Kudos too those behind it.

Although I really enjoyed season 1 it really didn't say a thing new about The Purge that anyone who hasn't watched the movies didn't already know. Season 2 however takes place in the 364 days between one Purge and the next and involves the NFFA which adds a whole new level to the show. Like season one it involves a select group of people but it also has short opening stories that show how normalized violence has become.

That being said all the really low reviews for season 1 are hilariously wrong. Was the season perfect? No. It had its problems but it is nowhere near a one star. At absolute worst I would give it five stars. But the people don't really get the concept of the star system, They either 10 star a show or 1 Star it. Season 1 had some tonal problems and a couple problematic characters and didn't really say anything new.

Season 2 is where the show truly shines........

The script and acting are good enough so far that they don't get in the way of the plot or visuals. We were expecting the entire first episode to be an extended tease of the mayhem to come, so were pleasantly surprised that it actually involved some action, though most of the episode was indeed setting up (interesting and diverse) back-stories.

It was also nice to see the plot dipping its toes into the social ramifications beyond the Purge franchise's usual standby of "people gonna die" or even "rich people gonna kill off the poor people." So it seems to be showing a lot more nuance and maturity than the two Purge movies I've seen so far.

I still think there's a good chance of this series becoming derivative and even tedious, but so far it looks good. I'm also somewhat dubious about making an entire series about a 12 hour event - I wasn't a huge fan of the 24 format. Though perhaps the season won't end when the purge does? For now I'm looking forward to watching the next episodes, finding out what happens to the main characters, and seeing how the social aspects develop.

After watching season 1 I wasn't sure I would see season 2. But I'm glad I did. It's so much better than season 1. I agree with the people saying that you should skip season 1. Season 1 4/10, Season 2 7/10.

I'm only writing beacuse I saw these few very negative comments. I don't get it. It's just the plot episode and you "foresee" how bad it will be? And the characters, settings, background etc. they all were quite well established, too! Some people are being negative for the sole sake of negativity.

I just watched the first premiere episode and I must say I do like it quite a bit. I'm still giving this a chance despite some naysayers that think it's milking a product. It can stand on its own despite the last lousy movie and it is our answer to a good zombie movie. Its mindless killing of people and doesn't matter who or what you are, you have that chance to die, like any good zombie show. Just watch it for what it is and don't overanalyze it!

Season one was a good intro but the writers have been on top form with season 2 thoroughly enjoyable more characters with plenty of sub plots. I really have enjoyed it.

The Purge movies became quite the cultural thing. I'm fairly certain that even people who never watched the movies are familiar with the premise. And I have to admit, that premise seems ripe to be exploited in a TV show. And yet while there is so much time to explore characters and backstories ... the first season feels quite flat.

Still while you get something more on their background, it does not feel enough to warrant certain things. First season almost entirely plays out during the Purge Night ... some flashbacks yes, but overall probably at least 90% are the night itself. And that is something that season 2 does way better. You start with the end of a purge night and then see the consequences of that ... that carry on for a year ... but even here you have flashbacks! So the season 2 is way more rewarding, dealing with a lot of issues and generally speaking the better season of the two. Not just because an apparently well know cameo in the last episode of the show! And as it looks the last episode overall. Another movie is supposed to come out (or should have been released if it wasn't for the Covid thing, you might have heard about that), but it seems we are nearing the end ... let's see how he movie is going to wrap things up. The show could have done with another season (imho)

Season 2 is insane. It's just as good as the movies if not better. What makes it different from the movie is that we don't only see what happens on Purge night but also what happens during the days leading up to it. It masterfully shows how the Purge shapes society. And this is how this show stands out. It's quite brutal though so only people who can stomach horror movies will probably like this.

I like the show there hasn't been a dull moment in the series as all the storylines are interesting. I can't wait until the next episode.

Don't bother watching season 1, it's awful. Season 2, however, is a better story and a better interpretation of the concept.

But I just couldn't. Like others on here I tried to give it a good go, got through a few eps, but there's just not enough imagination behind it for them to get through whole series' of the stuff.

I couldn't get behind the characters at all, kept forgetting who was meant to be whom and why they were doing what they were doing. Not great writing at all, which surprised me actually. I thought this would be a great op for some interesting political ideas, but no, it's just a very base structure sewn together with the loosest of plots.

Shame. What's next?

The first season of the purge series is pure garbage, but the second season is so far 1000x better. The script seems original and the actors are really good. Im looking forward for the next episodes.

Updated - Watched all episodes of season 2... Its prob one of the best series ive ever seen. The last episode is kinda bland and unoriginal, but overall an awesome season.

I couldn't get into Season 1 AT ALL as I didn't enjoy the characters or the perspective of the actors. I would not have bothered watching Season 2, but I really liked Ethan Hawke in the OG Purge and was so hoping it would improve. It must be a different director because the actors are way better, filming is way better, and the plot is much more interesting.

But just couldn't continue. I watched the first 4 episodes, hoping against hope that it would get better. It didn't. It was halfway through the 5th episode where I finally shut it off and cancelled the remaining recordings. The "protagonists" (I use that term loosely, as there really isn't a single likable character) make some of the dumbest, over-the-top decisions imaginable, the acting is terrible, writing is sloppy, and the plot is basically multiple different stories that try to make us care about the characters, but fails at every chance.

I gave it plenty of chances to show me different, and it kept letting me down. Too bad, too. It's a concept that, if done correctly, would have made for a good limited-run series.

Season 1 was garbage. Season 2 is terrific. Honestly just skip season 1. The stories aren't connected thankfully.

Perfectly in line with the spirit, the mood and the atmospheres of the films, the series, gives more suspance. Good people, bad people, good turned bad and bad turned good, the philosophical questions are always behind the corner but the action is still present. I found episode after episode, each one entertaining and never predictable and myself glued to the screen wanting for more. Can't wait for the next season to come.

As a fan of the movies, I found this series to be a fun ride. I binge watched it and found some surprising turns. Overall can't wait to watch season 2. The show would totally work with a new cast every season. If you like the movies, you'll like this.

Ok i have watched all the films in the series and i did really like them a lot, most got between an 7 and 9 on my ratings this First season of the TV series gets a 7. Its along the same lines as the film but you could say cut the series down to maybe 6 episodes or 7 and cut some non essential scenes from it and it would be better.

The problem with the series is that the action scenes are very very far and few between and they were not really graphic at all. The series takes us on a trip through various individuals/couples and their personal stories that gets us to why what and how and then we follow them to the culmination at the end and its all wound up in a nice little package. the problem is that the keep showing back stories and it drags the story out where it doesn't need to be.

I hope that if there is a second series that they sort this out as it could be a truly fab series not just a good one.

Season 1 - full of action but the problem is the characters are not developed so you don't really feel bad when anyone is purged. Too many storyline's.

Season 2 - develops the story well and you have some sympathy towards certain characters. So it is more interesting as you have some investment, but even then they had 10 episodes I'd expect a bit more depth.

Overall, it's not something I'd watch again but good one off watch show.

The Purge is an exciting and brave concept that holds so much promise and could be explored to such brilliant possibilities but ends up falling excruciatingly, infuriatingly short owing to the ridiculously stupid writing of all the female characters. It is almost as if neither the writers nor the actors have the full script or watch every episode. One moment, they are riding their white, fluffy high horses of convenient morality, lecturing the world on what matters more than being alive and how they are so proud of having made the "right" choice, and just 10 minutes later they are shrieking their heads off, shivering and whimpering when faced with the ugly truths, pleading to be rescued, only to moments later taking a dump all over their rescuers for being more practical than ethical. Be it Hannah Anderson as Jenna Betancourt, Jessica Garza as Penelope Guerrero or the biggest let down - Amanda Warren as Jane Barbour; each female character is written in such a pedestrian manner that it evokes frustration more than sympathy.

Despite the frequent flashbacks and differing time lines season two is gripping. For a horror show like The Purge even the plot is worthwhile and the story develops well.

Embrace the fantasy of the purge and enjoy the break from reality. Watch season one only if you have copious amounts of free time.

I'm giving this a 10 for season 2 only, season 1 was a mess and ruined the ratings for this show no one was ready to give season 2 a chance but trust me it is brilliant better then the movies please give it a watch if you're a fan of the purge.

STAR RATING: ***** Saturday Night **** Friday Night *** Friday Morning ** Sunday Night * Monday Morning

SEASON ONE

The annual 'purge night' rolls round again, and once again, a disparate group of seemingly unrelated characters, with their own demons, agendas, motivations, fears and missions, are trying to survive the night as best they can, before all being summoned together in a final show of judgement they can only try and survive.

2013's The Purge has certainly become a phenomenally successful horror franchise, with three spin off films, and now this TV incarnation, from the film's same creator James De Monaco. One of the most intelligent and original horror films in years, with a strikingly inspired concept, it was depressingly inevitable the spin offs that would get made from it, but luckily, unlike other horror franchises, for example A Nightmare on Elm Street or Friday the 13th, none of them have spoiled its legacy in any way yet, something having original director De Monaco on board for each of them has played no small part in.

The set up involves the oft used premise of several inter-related stories told separately, with equal time given to each of them. Once again, De Monaco has something beneath the surface, far from making standard horror fare, he stabs at social issues at the heart of American society, including race, identity, poverty, unemployment, and the acquirement of wealth, and though it all feels constrained by the limits of TV, it's an interesting and relevant addition to all the jump scares and suspense.

It never feels affectingly dynamic and compelling at any time, but for a TV spin off, it's certainly serviceable enough, conciliatory even if it is all a bit cliched and ham-fisted in its ways. ***