The First Purge
This horror/action-adventure film from director Gerard McMurray serves as a prequel that recounts events that led up to the first Purge event. To push the crime rate below one percent for the rest of the year, the New Founding Fathers of America (NFFA) test a sociological theory that vents aggression for one night in one isolated community.
Despite its tight budget of $13.0M, The First Purge became a massive hit, earning $137.1M worldwide—a remarkable 954% return. The film's unconventional structure found its audience, proving that strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
The First Purge (2018) reveals deliberately positioned narrative architecture, characteristic of Gerard McMurray's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 37 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.1, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Staten Island neighborhood shown in its ordinary state: Nya works as an anti-Purge activist, Dmitri runs his drug empire, and Isaiah struggles with anger issues. The community is poor but intact, before the government's experiment.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when The sirens sound and the first Purge officially begins. The community must now face the reality of legalized violence for twelve hours, transforming their neighborhood into a potential warzone.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 25 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to The NFFA deploys mercenaries and white supremacist militias to Staten Island to manufacture violence and kill residents. This active choice by the antagonist forces our heroes to actively fight back rather than simply survive the night., moving from reaction to action.
At 49 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat Dr. Updale discovers the NFFA's true plan—they're targeting specific demographics for extermination—and is murdered by Chief of Staff Arlo Sabian when she threatens to expose them. This false defeat reveals the full evil of the system and raises the stakes to life and death., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 72 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Dmitri finds Isaiah near death, brutally tortured and strung up by Skeletor. This "whiff of death" moment represents the cost of violence and the potential loss of innocence/family that the Purge threatens., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 78 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Nya chooses to fight. She takes up arms alongside Dmitri and the community members, synthesizing her moral opposition to violence with the practical reality that they must defend themselves. The activists become warriors, united to survive until the sirens end the Purge., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The First Purge's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping The First Purge against these established plot points, we can identify how Gerard McMurray utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The First Purge within the action genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Staten Island neighborhood shown in its ordinary state: Nya works as an anti-Purge activist, Dmitri runs his drug empire, and Isaiah struggles with anger issues. The community is poor but intact, before the government's experiment.
Theme
Dr. Updale presents the Purge experiment as "a chance to release aggression," framing it as psychological catharsis. This establishes the film's theme: whether violence is an inherent human need or a construct imposed by those in power.
Worldbuilding
The NFFA announces the experimental Purge on Staten Island, offering $5,000 to residents who stay and additional money for participation. We meet the key players: activist Nya opposing it, her brother Isaiah eager to settle scores, Dmitri trying to protect the community, and Dr. Updale believing in her social experiment. The government distributes tracking contacts and sets the rules.
Disruption
The sirens sound and the first Purge officially begins. The community must now face the reality of legalized violence for twelve hours, transforming their neighborhood into a potential warzone.
Resistance
The first hours of the Purge reveal unexpected results: most residents stay inside peacefully, with only isolated incidents. Isaiah confronts his enemy Skeletor in a church standoff. Dmitri tries to keep people safe. The NFFA grows frustrated that people aren't purging enough, revealing their true genocidal intent.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The NFFA deploys mercenaries and white supremacist militias to Staten Island to manufacture violence and kill residents. This active choice by the antagonist forces our heroes to actively fight back rather than simply survive the night.
Mirror World
Nya and Dmitri's relationship deepens as he protects her and they discuss their shared history. Their connection represents the film's thematic answer: community solidarity and protection of the vulnerable, countering the NFFA's ideology of survival of the fittest.
Premise
The "fun and games" of urban warfare and survival horror. Mercenaries hunt residents through apartment buildings and streets. Isaiah battles Skeletor in increasingly violent confrontations. Dmitri uses his street knowledge to protect Nya and others. Dr. Updale begins to realize her experiment has been corrupted. Residents start fighting back against the invaders.
Midpoint
Dr. Updale discovers the NFFA's true plan—they're targeting specific demographics for extermination—and is murdered by Chief of Staff Arlo Sabian when she threatens to expose them. This false defeat reveals the full evil of the system and raises the stakes to life and death.
Opposition
The mercenary assault intensifies with military-grade weapons and coordinated attacks on Nya's building. Isaiah is captured and tortured by Skeletor's gang. Dmitri must navigate through war-zone streets to save him. The community realizes they're being systematically exterminated and that survival requires organized resistance.
Collapse
Dmitri finds Isaiah near death, brutally tortured and strung up by Skeletor. This "whiff of death" moment represents the cost of violence and the potential loss of innocence/family that the Purge threatens.
Crisis
Dmitri saves Isaiah and brings him to Nya. The siblings reconcile as Isaiah clings to life. Nya faces her darkest moment: her activism failed to stop this, her brother is dying, and her community is being slaughtered. She must decide whether to keep hiding or fight back.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Nya chooses to fight. She takes up arms alongside Dmitri and the community members, synthesizing her moral opposition to violence with the practical reality that they must defend themselves. The activists become warriors, united to survive until the sirens end the Purge.
Synthesis
The community bands together for a final stand against the mercenaries. Dmitri and Nya lead a coordinated defense of their building. They use guerrilla tactics, local knowledge, and unity to overcome the better-armed forces. Skeletor is killed. The sirens finally sound, ending the Purge, and the survivors emerge victorious but traumatized.
Transformation
News reports show the NFFA declaring the Purge experiment a "success" and planning to expand it nationwide. Despite the community's resistance and survival, the system has won. Nya and Dmitri stand together, transformed from divided community members into unified protectors, but facing a darker future where the Purge becomes permanent.