FILM · 2018 · JAPAN
The First Purge
13 archived facts 4 topics 1 source Last reviewed Oct 2026
13 Interesting Facts About The First Purge
Interesting Facts (8)
- #001
The film was temporarily titled "Purge: Island." It was shot in Buffalo, NY, which doubled as Staten Island, NY.
- #002
In an interview, Frank Grillo said he would only return if the script was really good and if James DeMonaco had some involvement with the film.
- #003
This is the first Purge film not directed by James DeMonaco.
- #004
At around the 21-minute mark, with one hour left before the Purge begins, the countdown clock uses a film timecode format rather than a time format. Timecode format uses hours, minutes, seconds and frames, while time format uses hours, minutes, seconds and hundredths of a second to express time.
- #005
Because the first film was titled "The Purge: La Noche de las Bestias" in its country, it was given the title "La Primera Purga: La Noche de las Bestias" (The First Purge: Night of the Beasts) in Spain. This subtitle became the saga's trademark after being included in the series for all sequels except The Forever Purge (2021).
- #006
Although the film was shot globally in Codex ARRIRAW 2.8K, the credits list 'Filmed in Panavision.'.
- #007
Cinematographer Anastas N. Michos had previously provided additional photography for The Purge: Election Year (2016).
- #008
If you wonder why so much happens on Staten Island and why there are so many places to hide, it is because the island covers an area of 60 square miles — and of course, the film was not actually shot there!
Characters & Cast (1)
- #009
Actor Rotimi Paul attended auditions for the role of Skeletor by riding the New York City subway in costume makeup.
Easter Eggs & References (1)
- #010
At around the 46-minute mark, Nya (Lex Scott Davis) narrowly escapes being pulled into a floor grate and calls her attacker a "p#ssy-grabber," a clear reference to one of Donald Trump's controversial remarks before he became President.
Deeper Meaning (3)
- #011
The poster for Halloween (2018) can be seen in Isaiah's room. Blumhouse Productions is behind both the new Halloween film and the Purge films.
- #012
The first mid-credits scene is a news program about the success of the Purge and how a "nationwide Purge" could happen as early as the following year, laying the groundwork for the later films.
- #013
Despite a fan theory and speculation that President Charlene Roan (Elizabeth Mitchell) would be assassinated in this film, Minister Edwidge Owens must rise to the presidency and the annual Purge must continue. When it emerged that this film was a prequel, the theory was proven false. Because this film is in fact a prequel to the Purge saga, Charlene Roan cannot be assassinated. We last saw her in The Purge: Election Year (2016); she had survived at least 18 Purges a year. The end of that film showed that she succeeded in becoming president.
Sources & editorial notes
Reference databases
- IMDb
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