What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThe Purge: Election Year
Film · 2016
If you loved The Purge: Election Year, start with Inferno 2033 (Michael Compton, Allan J. Walsh, Sherry J. Compton, 2016) — a book on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to The Purge: Election Year across media.
You were gripped by how The Purge: Election Year forces principled protectors to navigate lethal political conspiracies while battling systemic corruption.
Books on the same thread
Inferno 2033
Michael Compton, Allan J. Walsh, Sherry J. Compton · Book · 2016
Shares a thread with The Purge: Election Year: Political Thriller.
Like the government betrayal in The Purge: Election Year, this book explores a society where institutional power is weaponized against citizens under the guise of national security and order.
Divergent trilogy
Veronica Roth · Book · 2011
Explores: Faction-based society, Coming of Age, Identity Crisis.
This trilogy mirrors the high-stakes rebellion found in The Purge: Election Year, focusing on characters who challenge the foundational structures of a rigid and oppressive societal system.
The Hunger Games
Suzanne Collins · Book · 2008
Shares a thread with The Purge: Election Year: political thriller.
If the spectacle of survival in The Purge: Election Year kept you watching, you will appreciate how this story forces individuals to survive against institutionalized, state-sanctioned violence.
Allegiant
Veronica Roth · Book · 2013
Explores: Factionalism, Social Systems, Identity Crisis.
This narrative shares the themes of systemic collapse seen in The Purge: Election Year, as characters fight to survive while the political structures they once trusted are violently shattered.
Series on the same thread
Person of Interest
Jonathan Nolan · Series · 2011
Explores: Artificial Intelligence, Surveillance State, Moral Ambiguity.
Much like the protective dynamic in The Purge: Election Year, this show follows a skilled operative engaging in vigilante justice to safeguard targets from powerful, hidden threats.
Bodyguard
Jed Mercurio · Series · 2018
Shares a thread with The Purge: Election Year: Political Thriller.
This series captures the intense pressure of protecting a controversial politician, reflecting the exact survival struggle and political tension featured in The Purge: Election Year.
Marvel's The Punisher
Steve Lightfoot · Series · 2017
Explores: PTSD, Conspiracy, Moral Ambiguity.
Fans of the relentless vigilante action in The Purge: Election Year will appreciate this story of a former soldier fighting back against a sprawling, dangerous military conspiracy.
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
Rafał Jaki · Series · 2022
Shares a thread with The Purge: Election Year: Social inequality.
This animation captures the same gritty, dystopian corruption found in The Purge: Election Year, focusing on a mercenary navigating a society defined by extreme inequality and lethal danger.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Realignment
The Realignment · Podcast · 2026
Explores: institutional change, populism, technological disruption.
If you were intrigued by the political instability in The Purge: Election Year, this podcast provides a real-world look at the institutional shifts and power dynamics driving today.
The Preamble
Sharon McMahon · Podcast · 2026
Explores: Critical thinking, Media literacy, Civic engagement.
This podcast explores the complex political landscape that serves as the backdrop for The Purge: Election Year, helping you understand the civic issues behind such dystopian fiction.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is The Purge: Election Year a direct sequel to the previous films?
The Purge: Election Year follows Leo Barnes two years after the events where he chose not to kill his son's murderer. He now serves as the head of security for Senator Charlene Roan, who is campaigning to end the government-sanctioned Purge.
Who is the main protagonist in The Purge: Election Year?
The primary characters in The Purge: Election Year are Leo Barnes, a former police sergeant serving as head of security, and Senator Charlene Roan, the presidential front runner who has vowed to eliminate the Purge during her campaign.
What is the central conflict in The Purge: Election Year?
In The Purge: Election Year, a betrayal from within the government forces Leo Barnes and Senator Charlene Roan onto the streets during the night of the Purge. They must fight to survive while the government attempts to eliminate the Senator and her platform.
Does The Purge: Election Year take place during a specific political event?
Yes, The Purge: Election Year occurs during the night of what is intended to be the final annual Purge. The plot centers on Senator Charlene Roan's presidential campaign, which is built on her promise to abolish the event entirely.