America: Starting with the acquisition of MGM...

Chapter 126. What should you do in a movie theater?

The original timeline of "The Purge" was released in 2013, and its popularity was the result of a variety of factors.

The most important factor is the overall environment, especially after the 2008 financial crisis, which led to a surge in bankrupt families and a significant increase in homelessness across the United States.

Social resentment was growing, and the rate of shootings was increasing year by year. People needed an outlet for their anger, and "The Purge" perfectly matched the social psychology at the time.

In addition, although the male lead, Ethan Hawke, has never become a big star, he has become a familiar face over the years and has even secured a place in the art film genre.

The female lead was Lena Headey, who gained immense popularity for her role as Cersei in Game of Thrones, and those two years were her peak.

Although her peak performance might only reach the level of top-tier actresses, the two of them still had some box office appeal, not much, but not little.

However, the original storyline was so terrible that it was not only heavily criticized in China with very low ratings, but it was also widely criticized in the United States.

For example, the two children are both mentally challenged and have negative IQs. On the day of the killing, they do not trust their father, but they have an overwhelming sense of compassion and take in outsiders and their boyfriends. The father is the only normal person in the family, but unfortunately, he is killed by his wife and unruly children.

The villainous Masked Gang, on the other hand, started strong but fizzled out; they seemed incredibly powerful in the beginning.

Especially the scene where the leader shoots one of his own men, he seems neurotic, acting like he's the big boss.

They were easily wiped out; compared to the oppressive atmosphere they created, they were just plain clowns.

This kind of terrible plot might have been successful in 2013, but it might not have been so successful in 2003.

So when writing the script outline, Eric simply abandoned the first one and started directly with the second one, which has the highest ratings in the series, namely "The Purge 2: Anarchy".

Anyway, the first and second parts are independent stories, so it doesn't matter who starts with them.

Moreover, he made significant changes to the story of the second part, shifting the focus from highlighting the individual members of the main characters to emphasizing class conflicts and social chaos.

Eric also changed the male protagonist's ending; in the original story, he was so soft-hearted that he couldn't bring himself to kill his enemies.

The problem is that you're a ruthless Navy SEAL who's been planning this for a year, and you abandon it at the last minute. This kind of ending is a huge break in your character.

So Eric was changed to the male protagonist and decisively killed his enemy. The entire movie plot was dark from beginning to end, without a trace of sunshine or plot twists.

If you're going to play, go all the way. Going all the way through darkness can actually make a movie seem more profound.

I found a corner to sit down. As I expected, there were relatively few people in the theater; including Eric and Nicole, there were only 15 people.

The lights went out, plunging the theater into darkness.

Nicole removed her disguise and helped Eric take off his mask. The two then kissed, both knowing that the other wanted this.

A few minutes later, her tongue parted, and Nicole let out a long breath.

"Finally, I can breathe some fresh air. Wearing a mask and hat in the summer is so uncomfortable."

Eric handed her the iced cola beside him: "Have some, it's the ultimate comfort drink. What's the saying about Coca-Cola again?"

Nico quickly turned her head away: "No, I'll drink juice. Coke will make you fat."

"So what if you're a little chubby? Didn't I say I hoped you'd gain weight?"

"Hmph! Dream on!"

Nicole wrinkled her cute nose.

On the big screen, a shark, symbolizing AK Films, swims by, officially opening the movie.

Since the storyline was adapted into a sequel, the background of the story had to be clearly explained, so the beginning was similar to the first movie.

In the voice-over, scenes of video footage captured by cameras flash by; although blurry, they give a sense of realism.

The people in the video are committing all sorts of killings, using guns, forks, sticks, and even kitchen knives. There are home invasions and random street killings, each scene resembling a documentary.

"In 2025, the Earth's economy stagnates, the population surges, and even the United States, once a superpower, cannot escape falling into the trap."

"Unemployment rates have been soaring year by year, and deep-seated social problems such as financial crisis, rampant gun violence, rampant rock candy, immigration issues, and racial conflicts have erupted in one fell swoop. The lower class is increasingly dissatisfied with society and the government, violent incidents occur frequently, and the crime rate is skyrocketing."

"To allow the public to vent their pent-up emotions and discontent, and at the same time to optimize the population structure, the U.S. government has implemented a new policy: Kill Day!"

「每年的3月21日晚7点开始，到3月22日早7点结束，全国实行无责任杀戮，镜察、消防队、医院等公共服务体系全部暂停。」

"Apart from officials at the tenth rank and above, killing anyone goes unpunished, and this year marks the ninth anniversary of the killing day."

After reading the background information, Nico nodded slightly: "A good idea. Setting the world's strongest country, the United States, as a country with many problems creates a sense of contrast."

"Heh. Do you really think these problems stem from a fantasy setting? Take the three major issues of guns, rock candy, and race, for example. Aren't they right in front of us now?" Eric asked with a laugh.

"That makes sense, it's just a conjecture about the future based on reality," Nicole said after thinking for a moment.

"That's one way to understand it. People often post related arguments and threads online, don't they?"

"Really? I haven't paid attention to that before, but this setting reminds me of a Japanese movie from a few years ago."

"Is 'Battle Royale' what you're referring to?"

"That's right, but it only feels somewhat similar. Actually, upon closer inspection, they're not the same. I'm quite looking forward to the upcoming plot."

Eric pulled her up and sat her on his lap, and they began to be intimate, oblivious to everyone else. Anyway, it was dark, and no one in the back corner would care.

More importantly, the other audience members who were just chatting and laughing were now completely absorbed in the movie, watching the big screen intently without hearing a single sound.

"Honey, this isn't a good place, and I'd like to watch a movie," Nicole said, slightly out of breath.

Eric's brush against her neck made her tremble uncontrollably; that was her comfort zone.

"Let me tell you, honey, it's really nothing to see here. If you think this is a profound classic like Battle Royale, I'm telling you you're wrong. This is just a fucking blood and violence action movie."

"Don't forget that the film production company is called AK Films. Its last film was 'Sharknado,' I remember you went to see it in the theater."

Nico's face showed a strange expression: "Now that you mention it, I think I understand. Okay, it seems I overestimated it, but it really is a bit of a waste of this theme."

"As long as you can make money, honey, there's an art film with you in it, 'La Vie en Rose'."

Nicole's fingers gently traced Eric's face: "In that case, let me tease you a bit."

As she spoke, her hand had already slipped inside Eric's clothes.

The two flirted in a corner, while a violent game unfolded on the big screen.

He didn't recognize any of the actors, including Eric, and there wasn't even one like Evangeline Lily who became a huge star ten years later.

That can only mean one thing: these people were unlucky in their past lives, but are the chosen lucky ones in this life.

Perhaps because of this movie, "The Purge," big stars who shouldn't have appeared in the first place will gradually rise to prominence in Hollywood.

Boom!

In the film, the rich, government troops, rebels, and ordinary people take turns appearing, and various plots that challenge the bottom line of human morality unfold.

The poor are hunted because they are powerless to protect themselves, while the rich spend money to buy the lives of the poor as entertainment.

The government felt that not enough ordinary people had died, so it simply took matters into its own hands and carried out the massacres, which in turn gave rise to resistance organizations.

The rebels could use the killing day as cover to massacre the rich and plunder their wealth, while recruiting the poor who were unable to protect themselves into their organization, thus constantly expanding their strength.

The streets were ablaze with fire, and the cars left over from the filming of "Transformers" were burned, turning the entire city into a scene of carnage.

The few viewers watched with great interest, occasionally letting out exclamations of surprise, as if they were actually there.

In the corner, Eric was biting Nicole.

The latter closed his eyes tightly, held Eric's head tightly, pressed it down hard, and made faint groans.

Explosion!

Boom!

"Yeah!"

The violent explosion sent limbs flying everywhere, and the gladiatorial arena used by the wealthy for hunting games was blown up and burned, immediately eliciting screams from several young people in the theater.

"Can you be quiet? You startled me!" someone said, displeased.

"I'm sorry, I just couldn't help it."

"Keep it in, it's just a movie."

"Yes, yes, that was fucking exciting!"

In the footage, the firefight between government forces and rebels continues, with bullets flying and people being riddled with bullets.

Later, rocket launchers and grenades were added, but the poor special effects still reminded people of "Sharknado" at first glance.

Because the rebels were inferior to the government forces in both personnel quality and firepower, they hastily retreated after leaving behind dozens of corpses.

The sound of cannons boomed on the screen, and the same sound echoed inside the theater.

After another passionate kiss, the two returned to sitting side by side.

On the big screen, the sun has risen, and the clock strikes 7 a.m. on March 22, marking the end of the annual killing day.

Then the camera zooms out, and from a great distance, the survivors are seen gradually gathering in the square, praying before the statue of Washington in the center.

"Thank you to the victims of Kill Day; it is your sacrifice that has made our country safer."

"Thank you for your contributions to the country, thank you for your contributions to humanity."

"May God be with you!"

"God bless America, may the nation be reborn!"

The film ends with this increasingly distant shot, filled with absurdity and irony.

The theater lights came back on, and Eric and Nicole, having finished their costume changes, waited for the audience in front to leave first.

The young man who had just shouted was discussing the plot with his friend.

"Garfield, I told you this movie would be great, it was so exciting!"

My companion added, still wanting more, "I totally agree with your point of view. A statutory killing day is a really cool concept."

"I'm going to go back and tell Millie and the others that this is way more exciting than The Matrix. I don't understand that thing at all—virtual and reality."

Beside him, a man who looked to be in his thirties couldn't help but scoff, "I admit this movie is alright, but it has too many plot holes. Better than The Matrix? Are you kidding me?"

Upon hearing this, the young man immediately glared at the other person: "We're talking, do you need to interrupt?"

The man opened his mouth, wanting to say something more, but seeing that there were three people on the other side while he was all alone, he paused for a moment and turned to leave.

"Ha ha ha ha."

The three young men burst into exaggerated laughter, as if they had won a battle.

Eric and Nicole stood up and left after everyone had left.

"The Purge should do well at the box office," Nicole said.

"Why? You didn't watch the plot."

boom!

"You jerk! I didn't watch it all because of you."

"Haha, then why are you so sure the box office won't be bad?"

"It's simple, because it targets a specific audience. Look at these young people, it's obvious that the movie will be popular among them."

"So how much do you think the box office will reach?"

Nico shook her head: "I don't know, but I don't think it will reach the level of 'Sharknado'."

"Why?" Eric asked, looking at her curiously.

"It's very simple. Sharkshot is a pure parody movie. Although it's terrible, it's suitable for all ages. As word spreads, people's fascination with the absurd will drive them to the cinema."

"However, 'The Purge' is not in this direction. It is a normal drama film. Its reputation is definitely better than 'Sharknado,' but it will definitely not attract as many viewers as 'Sharknado.' Therefore, I think its box office performance is unlikely to surpass the latter."

After listening to Nicole's analysis, Eric looked at her with some surprise: "Honey, I didn't know you had a talent for analysis."

"Hmph! Don't underestimate me! I'm not just good at making movies, I also know a thing or two about business. In Australia, I've already bought thousands of acres of land."

"That's amazing!" Eric feigned surprise.

"Of course, if MGM ever goes bankrupt, I'll take care of you!"

"Hahaha. Who knows, maybe that day will really come someday, so I'll thank you in advance."

"If you're going to thank me, you have to be sincere. No joking around!"

"Okay, thank you for being willing to support this gigolo, Nico."

"What did you call me?"

"Honey."

"We'll see!"

"Baby."

"We'll see!"

"Wife."

"That's more like it!"

(End of this chapter)