Where Was The Purge Filmed? Ethan Hawke’s Thrilling Dystopian Horror Film!

Have you ever wondered what would happen if nothing was wrong or illegal in the world for an entire day? What if people could steal anything or kill anyone without facing any consequences? Well, the movie The Purge (2013) shows it all. If you’ve seen the film, you know what anarchy looks like. In this article, I’ll discuss the movie and tell you where was The Purge filmed.

The dystopian action horror film recounts the story of an America devastated by organized crime, where the prisons are filled with criminals. The government allows an annual 12-hour period in which anyone can commit any crime, including murder. The movie follows the Sandin family, who are visited by the ones they’re afraid of. The Sandin family must fight for their lives without becoming one of them.

The Purge features Ethan Hawke and Lena Headey. Both are renowned actors known for their work in movies and television shows. Hawke gained popularity after his exceptional performance in Peter Weir’s coming-of-age drama Dead Poets Society. He is the recipient of numerous accolades, including four Oscar nominations. Lena  Heady rose to fame after playing the role of Cersei Lannister in the HBO original series Game Of Thrones.

Now, to get back to your main question about where was The Purge filmed, the dystopian action horror movie was filmed in Los Angeles, California, United States of America.

Directed and written by James DeMonaco, The Purge was first screened at the Stanley Film Festival in Colorado on 2 May 2013, followed by its wide theatrical release in the United States on 7 June 2013. The horror action flick was made available on streaming platforms on 24 September 2013. However, let’s dig some more and find out about the filming locations.

Where Was The Purge Filmed? The Purge Filming Locations!

James DeMonaco’s The Purge became a big hit and commercial success. The movie was made on a limited budget of $3 million, and it earned over $91 million, making it one of the most successful movies of 2013. The dystopian film garnered mixed responses from critics, who praised the cast’s performance and the screenplay but weren’t entirely convinced with the storyline.

After the unexpected success, DeMonaco made the movie into a franchise. There are a total of five movies in the franchise. DeMonaco directs the first three parts. The Purge received a rating of 5.7 on IMDb and an average score on Rotten Tomatoes. However, let’s jump into the details of where was The Purge filmed.

Los Angeles, California, United States Of America

The dystopian action horror movie The Purge was filmed in Los Angeles, California, particularly in the suburban neighborhood of Chatsworth. It is a part of the San Fernando Valley. The Spanish colonized Chatsworth during the 18th century. It is one of the affluent neighborhoods in Los Angeles. It has a low population density and a high-income level. Most of the families who live in the neighborhood are pretty wealthy.

If you’ve seen the movie, then you know that the majority of it was filmed in the house where the Sandin family lived. There are few exterior scenes, as most of the film takes place inside the house where the Purgers wreak havoc. The house where all the action takes place is located at 11484 Iverson Road in the hills of Chatsworth, which lies in the Northwest region of San Fernando Valley.

The director of the film, James DeMonaco, came up with the idea for the movie after hearing a comment from his wife regarding a road rage incident. Initially, DeMonaco was receiving negative feedback from producers while he was trying to seek funding for the movie. Most producers found it “too un-American” mainly because of the movie’s theme. 

Eventually, Jason Blum came on board on behalf of Universal Studios and offered to get the movie done for $3 million. DeMonaco, having a low budget, ended up shooting the entire movie within the house. During the production process, Ethan Hawke slept on Jason Blum’s couch and agreed to work in the movie for just $10,000. Later on, he was compensated with $2 million.

Plot Of The Purge (2013) | Are You Ready? Here They Come!

The story of The Purge follows the Sandin family, who are rich and live in a gated community. The government of America has allowed an annual 12-hour period in which anyone can steal anything and kill whoever they want. 

The catch here is that they won’t be charged. James Sandin, played by Ethan Hawke, his wife Mary, played by Lena Heady, and their two kids, Charlie and Zoey, are sitting tight at home, hoping to spend the night without any trouble. 

Only if the Sandin family knew what awaited them, while the rest of the people, who are not as rich as them, burn in the outside world, they rest comfortably at home. Soon, the ones they’re afraid of come knocking on their door. James and Lena must protect their family at all costs, no matter what.

Final Words

If you haven’t watched The Purge yet, well, in that case, make sure you watch the action horror movie this Halloween season to make things more thrilling. And if you wish to check out the movie’s filming location, then you know where to find it. To read more interesting articles, keep an eye on the Viebly website.