The First Purge is a 2018 American dystopian action horror film directed by Gerard McMurray and starring Ylan Noel, Lex Scott Davis, Joivan Wade, and Steve Harris. It is the first film of The Purge series not to be directed by James DeMonaco, who instead wrote and co-executive produced the film. The movie serves as a prequel that recounts events that led up to the first Purge event. The story is set in 2017, when the New Founding Fathers of America (NFFA) test a sociological theory that vents aggression for one night in one isolated community. The experiment is limited to Staten Island, and the residents are offered $5,000 to stay on the island during the experiment and $10,000 if they participate. The movie explores the origins of the dystopian event and introduces a world where morality is tested as people struggle to survive. The First Purge was released on July 4, 2018, by Universal Pictures and grossed over $137 million worldwide, becoming the highest-grossing entry in the franchise. The movie received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising its commentary on the Trump era.