Frank Grillo’s 2016 Dystopian Horror Film Climbs Streaming Charts

Frank Grillo has recently found significant streaming success with his 2016 horror-thriller, which explores a dystopian version of America. Nearly nine years since its theatrical debut, Grillo’s film is gaining renewed interest among audiences. Renowned primarily for his roles in action-packed films, Grillo has starred in various notable projects, such as End of Watch and in the role of Rick Flag Sr. in the upcoming animated series Creature Commandos, a significant part of the larger DC Universe. His abilities also extend to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, where he plays Crossbones, showcasing his versatility beyond typical action roles.

Grillo’s dynamic presence isn’t confined to films alone; he is currently featured in live-action television. He plays Bill Bevilaqua in the upcoming second season of Tulsa King, a series that partners him with the formidable Sylvester Stallone. While his involvement in the DC Universe appears to dominate his current projects, with anticipated roles in Superman and Peacemaker season 2, he is also linked to a notable horror franchise that is recently experiencing a resurgence in popularity.

Streaming Success of The Purge: Election Year

A Surprising Climb on Streaming Charts

The Purge: Election Year has made a striking debut on streaming platforms, currently enjoying a surge in popularity almost a decade after its release. As the third installment in The Purge series, the film chronicles the story of Senator Charlie Roan, portrayed by Elizabeth Mitchell, who finds herself in danger during the annual Purge while campaigning to abolish the violent event. Grillo returns as Frank Barnes, a character first introduced in The Purge: Anarchy. Despite receiving a lukewarm 55% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes, the film performed remarkably well at the box office, grossing $118.6 million with a modest budget of $10 million.

According to Flixpatrol, The Purge: Election Year has recently climbed to the number 10 position on Max’s Top 10 movies list in the U.S. for January 21, 2025, marking its first entry onto the chart. This surge has pushed aside the comedy special Bill Maher: Is Anyone Else Seeing This? and now sits alongside titles such as The Front Room, Jason Bourne, and Blue Velvet, with A Different Man leading as the top movie.

Implications of The Purge: Election Year‘s Streaming Success

A Reflective and Alarming Timing

Interestingly, the intriguing rise of The Purge: Election Year amid its mediocre critical reception coincides with some concerning socio-political sentiments in today’s climate. Its popularity surged just a day after a significant event—Donald Trump’s inauguration—which might evoke anxiety surrounding his potential presidency. While the nightmarish scenario depicted in this film remains fictional, the enthusiasm behind it reflects some undercurrents of fear and concern among viewers during this politically charged time.

Looking ahead, fans can be optimistic as a sixth installment in The Purge franchise is currently in production, with Frank Grillo set to reprise his role as Frank Barnes.

Source: FlixPatrol

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