A twist on The Purge

The other day a friend was giving me the run down on the futuristic sci-fi horror movie series, The Purge. The gist is pretty simple. Once a year, crime, including murder, is legal for 12 hours. The government suspends all laws, allowing citizens to commit any crime without fear of punishment or police intervention.

A family must barricade themselves in their home and try to survive the night. They face violence and must fight turning into the monsters they are trying to avoid. I have to laugh even just writing this description. It’s a psychological thriller written for the 15- and 16-year-old inside of us all.

Oh, the movie is definitely a hard pass for me. Shakespeare it is not, but even if you’re not into the genre, the film is still something to marvel. The Purge franchise — including five films and a two-season TV series has grossed more than $500 million worldwide. 

My brainchild idea

A friend talking about the movie has gotten me thinking about variations on the theme. Of course, I had to put my own Brian spin on the franchise. Instead of 12 hours of neighbor going after neighbor and crime running rampant in the streets, how about something a bit more tamer, but just as exciting?

We have neighbor going after neighbor now. Can you say Republicans versus Democrats? How about instead, the story calls for every home to get a huge trash dumpster for 12 hours. It would be a race against time. Homes would get a certain number of points for having the largest amount of trash. They would earn even more points for trash that could be recycled or used by others.

The indoor exercise bike that once was a nice thought, but now serves as an expensive clothes hanger. Gone to a young man kick starting a new exercise regime. The chair that’s outlived its usefulness. Gone to a needy family. The old kid’s race track set. Gone to a happy eight-year-old. The list of things to purge is endless.

Endless possibilities!

Oh, I know the movie idea feeds into our throw-away culture. And 16-year-old horror movie enthusiasts will roll their eyes. I can hear the criticism now: “It’s so lame!” But, I think it’s the start of an idea. Throw in the competition between neighbors and the chance to win a million dollars and who knows where the script writers could take the movie. If nothing else, the movie would help give hoarders like myself the push needed to throw things out.

Okay, there’s no mass mayhem. There is no blood on the streets. However, if The Purge can become a low budget, big dollar success, then why not my Dumpster Purge? Now I just need a big name actor and director to sign onto my idea. And then the sky is the limit!

Today B movie stardom. Tomorrow Hollywood and side deals with HG TV, TLC and A&E. Heck there might even be a tie-in to the long running TV show Law & Order because there’s always a connection to be made with that show.

What do you think? Am I onto something? Anyone have Brad Pitt’s number? Maybe the agents for Quentin Tarrantino or Steven Spielberg? Big things are on the way!

All images by Pexels.