Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Fifth "Purge" has missed opportunities, gory carnage.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 17+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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The Forever Purge
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 2 parent reviews
Based on 12 kid reviews
Kids say that while some find the film entertaining and recommend it for its action and plot, others criticize it for excessive violence, language, and moral concerns. The overall sentiment fluctuates, with mentions of its enjoyment and some characters being positive, but many feel it's not on par with earlier installments or appropriate for younger audiences.
- violence issues
- mixed reviews
- not for kids
- action over horror
- moral concerns
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In THE FOREVER PURGE, after an uptick in racial unrest, the U.S. government reinstates "the purge," an annual 12-hour period in which all crimes and violent acts are legal. Wealthy rancher Dylan Tucker (Josh Lucas); his pregnant wife, Cassie (Cassidy Freeman); his tough sister, Harper (Leven Rambin); and Dylan and Harper's father, Caleb (Will Patton) ride out the purge in their well-protected ranch. Their immigrant ranch hand, Juan (Tenoch Huerta), and his wife, Adela (Ana de la Reguera), spend the night in a shelter. But in the morning, when the purge is supposed to be over, they all discover that the purgers are raging on: They're now a hate-based, White supremacist organization bent on "cleansing" the United States of anyone they believe doesn't belong. The Harpers and Juan and Adela must put aside their own prejudices and work together to survive long enough to get to Mexico, where they should be safe.
Is It Any Good?
Like the previous four movies in this series, this one touches somewhat upon timely modern-day issues, but the routine, unimaginative storytelling sabotages any attempt at satire or significance. The Forever Purge taps into the horrifying White supremacist movement, especially the simmering hatred and prejudice toward immigrants. But aside from establishing the ironic idea of Mexico becoming a haven for escaping American "Dreamers," the movie does little to comment upon or satirize its relevant themes. (At least the movie roots for the Dreamers.)
Otherwise, The Forever Purge offers the usual uninspired collection of jump-scares and bloody killings, played mainly for cheap shocks and thrills, with no real consequences. Director Everardo Gout includes a few interesting, tricky, long-take shots, and he decorates the movie with eerily beautiful graffiti and composed carnage. But his attempts to tie in the events of the ranchers' story with a bigger picture of the United States as a whole tend to fall flat. The only thing this movie, and the series in general, really seems to be saying is that the United States is an inherently violent place, with little anyone can do about it.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about The Forever Purge's violence. How did it make you feel? Was it exciting? Shocking? What did the movie show/not show to achieve this effect? Why is that important?
What do you think of the idea of the purge? Could it really lower crime and lessen poverty? What are the arguments for and against it?
How does the movie view it's White characters and Latinx characters? Do you consider any of the characters role models? Why, or why not?
Is the movie scary? Is the scary stuff supernatural or based on real life? What's the appeal of horror movies?
Movie Details
- In theaters : July 2, 2021
- On DVD or streaming : July 23, 2021
- Cast : Ana de la Reguera , Josh Lucas , Tenoch Huerta
- Director : Everardo Gout
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Latino Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Universal Pictures
- Genre : Horror
- Run time : 103 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : strong/bloody violence, and language throughout
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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