Have a lot of pent up anger and rage? If so, Jason Blum and our friends at Blumhouse Productions have good news for you. Blumhouse finally debuted its first full trailer for next installment in The Purge franchise, The First Purge. If you were worried that The Purge: Election Year seemed to spell the end of the dystopian action-thriller franchise, you were fears were misguided. As its title implies, The First Purge will serve as a prequel to the franchise.

All Crime is Legal

Audiences shouldn’t be surprised that we’re getting another Purge film. To date, the films have all proved to be healthy box office winners. In 2013, the first Purge earned just over $64 on a tiny budget of just $3 million. Each sequel has made slightly more money with The Purge: Election Year earning approximately $79 million on a $10 million budget. Released in 2013, the first The Purge was a home invasion thriller with a twist. Set in an alternate future, America is governed by a totalitarian party, the New Founding Fathers of America. To combat economic depression and rising violence, the government introduces the ‘purge’, a 12-hour period where all crime is legal. Each subsequent sequel has broadened the world of the Purge, moving from horror to more of an action-thriller genre.

Back to the Beginning

The First Purge takes audiences back to the very first purge. Interestingly, the trailer emphasizes the film’s relevant social commentary. Director Gerard McMurray is tackling America’s racial tensions head on in this installment. In addition to the expected action and haunting imagery, the trailer promises to address tough issues like police violence in Black neighbourhoods. This topical approach could serve to set The First Purge apart from most Hollywood franchise sequels.

Sadly, franchise favorite Frank Grillo won’t be appearing in The First Purge. For this installment, Marisa Tomei and Lex Scot Davis take over for Grillo. The First Purge is directed by Gerard McMurray (Burning Sands), with the screenplay by James DeMonaco. The film also stars Y’Lan Noel, Joivan Wade, and Luna Lauren Velez.

Blumhouse Productions are releasing The First Purge on July 4th.