Directed and written by James DeMonaco, American Nightmare is a horrific thriller released in 2013, starring Ethan Hawke, Lena Headey and Max Burkholder. The first part of a franchise that has become cult, the film imagines a dystopian America where, once a year, all crimes are permitted for twelve hours. This chilling concept has left its mark on contemporary horror cinema. The film will soon be available for streaming on HBO Max.
The trailer presents an oppressive atmosphere and highlights the tension experienced by a family confronted with the irruption of strangers during the night of the Purge.
American Nightmare will be available on HBO Max from October 17, 2025.
Synopsis: In an America plagued by unbridled crime and overcrowded prisons, the government has agreed to legalize all criminal activity, including murder, for 12 hours once a year. The police cannot intervene. Hospitals suspend their services. For one night, citizens are able to define their own rules and make their own laws, without fear of punishment. On such a night, haunted by violence and crime, a family must make a choice - executioner or victim? - when faced with a stranger knocking at their door.
With its original idea of an annual purge where crime is legal, American Nightmare quickly found its audience and launched a successful franchise. The film blends psychological thriller, tense in camera action and social critique, exploring the limits of violence and survival in a dystopian society.
Ethan Hawke, best known for Daybreakers and Sinister, plays a father faced with impossible choices. Lena Headey, famous for her role in Game of Thrones, plays his wife, while Max Burkholder completes the family unit. This trio reinforces the dramatic and emotional aspect of the story.
Forbidden to under 12s with warning, American Nightmare is aimed at fans of thrills and realistic horror films. Audiences who enjoyed The Strangers or Funny Games may find a similar atmosphere here, with psychological violence and constant tension.
Produced by Blumhouse Productions, The Purge has spawned several sequels and a TV series, confirming its status as a phenomenon of modern horror cinema. Its arrival on HBO Max in October 2025 allows us to rediscover the work that launched the saga and laid the foundations for a chilling, disturbing universe.
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Dates and Opening Time
From October 17, 2025 to November 17, 2025
Recommended age
From 12 years old
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