James DeMonaco, the creator behind the horror sensation The Purge franchise, has repeatedly shared a personal anecdote spotlighting the moment of genesis for the series. He stated the following in an interview with the Times:
“My wife said something in a road rage incident that stayed with me. This guy almost killed us — and she’s a nice person, I hope this doesn’t reflect poorly on her — but she said something like, ‘I wish I had one a year,’ referring to one legal murder. That comment, although it came from a place of anger, really stuck with me.”
Despite his wife’s harsh words being merely a fleeting outburst of ire, they planted the seed of an idea in DeMonaco’s mind, leading him to contemplate a myriad of fantastical scenarios. Conversing with Den of Geek in 2014, DeMonaco recounted how his thoughts evolved during his time in France on a cinema project. There, he noted stark contrasts in the media’s portrayal of news and the notable absence of gun ownership, unlike in America:
“I just noticed something different about the news there. I also noticed that nobody owned guns. I know so many people who own (guns) here (in the U.S.), and (in America) there are also shows about families who make guns.”
Observing these differences led DeMonaco to speculate on America’s deep-seated gun culture and predilection for violence. He pondered if citizens would actually embrace their “one legal murder a year” if sanctioned by the government—a thought that gave him a shiver. This apprehension was transmuted into the stark political allegory of The Purge films. (“I thought it was a metaphor for America’s obsession with guns and violence.”) DeMonaco magnified the concept: not just a single permitted killing, but an entire 12-hour span of lawlessness.
The groundwork was thus laid for “The Purge.”
Looking forward, fans can anticipate DeMonaco’s upcoming movie, “The Home,” slated for a 2024 release.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What inspired James DeMonaco to create The Purge?
A real-life road rage incident involving his wife sparked the idea when she mentioned, out of anger, the concept of one legal murder a year.
Did The Purge franchise emerge entirely from that road rage incident?
While the incident provided the initial spark, DeMonaco’s observations on the cultural differences regarding news portrayal and gun ownership during his stay in France further shaped the concept.
Is The Purge meant to be a political commentary?
Yes, DeMonaco has described the concept as a metaphor for America’s obsession with guns and violence, intending it to serve as pointed political commentary.
What is the essential premise behind The Purge films?
The movies revolve around an annual 12-hour period during which all crimes, including murder, are legal in the United States.
When is James DeMonaco’s next film expected to be released?
“The Home,” DeMonaco’s forthcoming film, is expected to hit theaters in 2024.