I have not watched these films as I generally just don't watch horror, but as a keen reader of post-apocalyptic & dystopian novels, I really enjoyed reading your take on this series and the questions it raises for us in modern America.
Maybe one day I'll watch them...(but probably not)
Holly! Thanks so much for taking the time to read/comment... especially since horror isn't your jam. I too am a big lover of post apocalyptic and dystopian novels -- those are my go-to's for reading. What's interesting is the connection between the two genres... horror seems to be commenting on the immediacy of a downfall while P.A. and Dyst. seem to comment on the potential aftermath or consequences. At any rate, I so appreciate your thoughts!
I'm like Holly, not a fan of horror movies but I love a good apocalypse novel. You bring up some very interesting disturbing parallels between the purge and real life.
I always thought sci-fi was the best way to see into what's really going on underneath societies. But now you've shown that horror can do that too. Doesn't mean I'm any less scared of watching the movies so keep these articles coming!
Aww thanks, Lesley! I think you're onto something about sci-fi. As I read more and more outside my comfort zone, I'm realizing that each "genre" is ultimately about what is going on underneath societies, they just go about it differently. And I think that is amazing because as you and Holly point out, some genres we can read and some we can't, so getting to see "under the surface" no matter what genre you're reading is important, IMO.
Jade, I’m actually quite disarmed by the Purge movies, but an interest in cultural dystopian prediction and the anarchist/pacifist dynamic has lead me to watch a couple of installments. Fear mongering is overwhelming (in society) and it’s created something extremely fractured. In a nation (like the US), we may fall from prominence not because of democracy, but out of madness created by fear of democracy. I feel helpless to stop this personally, as my primary function is to survive and take care of my children…but i still focus on the best aspects of human nature, in me and everyone around me. I must think of art as perpetuating that as well (anything else is just commercialism, consumerism, advertising). Cheers for the creative reminder!
Hi, Carin! Thanks for taking the time to read and comment! I completely agree with you on the fear mongering -- it's terrifying! What's really fascinating to me though is in watching these films and others, it's SO obvious where the cracks in our humanity are coming from and how we can fix it yet society acts like there is no way forward. That this is "just the way it is" and I often want to scream and tell people "NO! This is not the only way forward, don't you read/watch things outside of mainstream media?!"
This is great, Jade. I enjoy horror and think horror writers are probably the sanest of us all haha. I think I've seen all The Purge films, and agree with your thoughts here.
Thanks for reading and commenting, Tiffany. I 100% agree that horror writers are the sanest (although I'm sure a lot of people would disagree with us lol). I just love how the genre can get underneath our skin and make us think about things even when it's uncomfortable.
I have not watched these films as I generally just don't watch horror, but as a keen reader of post-apocalyptic & dystopian novels, I really enjoyed reading your take on this series and the questions it raises for us in modern America.
Maybe one day I'll watch them...(but probably not)
Holly! Thanks so much for taking the time to read/comment... especially since horror isn't your jam. I too am a big lover of post apocalyptic and dystopian novels -- those are my go-to's for reading. What's interesting is the connection between the two genres... horror seems to be commenting on the immediacy of a downfall while P.A. and Dyst. seem to comment on the potential aftermath or consequences. At any rate, I so appreciate your thoughts!
I'm like Holly, not a fan of horror movies but I love a good apocalypse novel. You bring up some very interesting disturbing parallels between the purge and real life.
I always thought sci-fi was the best way to see into what's really going on underneath societies. But now you've shown that horror can do that too. Doesn't mean I'm any less scared of watching the movies so keep these articles coming!
Aww thanks, Lesley! I think you're onto something about sci-fi. As I read more and more outside my comfort zone, I'm realizing that each "genre" is ultimately about what is going on underneath societies, they just go about it differently. And I think that is amazing because as you and Holly point out, some genres we can read and some we can't, so getting to see "under the surface" no matter what genre you're reading is important, IMO.
Jade, I’m actually quite disarmed by the Purge movies, but an interest in cultural dystopian prediction and the anarchist/pacifist dynamic has lead me to watch a couple of installments. Fear mongering is overwhelming (in society) and it’s created something extremely fractured. In a nation (like the US), we may fall from prominence not because of democracy, but out of madness created by fear of democracy. I feel helpless to stop this personally, as my primary function is to survive and take care of my children…but i still focus on the best aspects of human nature, in me and everyone around me. I must think of art as perpetuating that as well (anything else is just commercialism, consumerism, advertising). Cheers for the creative reminder!
Hi, Carin! Thanks for taking the time to read and comment! I completely agree with you on the fear mongering -- it's terrifying! What's really fascinating to me though is in watching these films and others, it's SO obvious where the cracks in our humanity are coming from and how we can fix it yet society acts like there is no way forward. That this is "just the way it is" and I often want to scream and tell people "NO! This is not the only way forward, don't you read/watch things outside of mainstream media?!"
This is great, Jade. I enjoy horror and think horror writers are probably the sanest of us all haha. I think I've seen all The Purge films, and agree with your thoughts here.
Thanks for reading and commenting, Tiffany. I 100% agree that horror writers are the sanest (although I'm sure a lot of people would disagree with us lol). I just love how the genre can get underneath our skin and make us think about things even when it's uncomfortable.
Just think of what's festering beneath the surface for the rest of us haha.