Amazon’s new dark comedy Jackpot!, which is directed by Paul Feig, has been sparking discussions about its intriguing premise and how it will execute that proposition. Jackpot! is set in a closely-related future where a grand lottery has been invented to attempt to financially help California’s people and economy. Whoever eliminates the person with the winning lottery ticket before the sun sets gets the prize: the jackpot of billions of dollars.

The film stars John Cena, who protects Awkwafina from a murder lottery, with the two trying to survive as a team until sundown. The film takes a jab at dark comedy. The concept is overall horrifying, but the execution proves comical elements. However, there is one discussion broached about the upcoming film by Prime Video: that its premise is very similar to a well-known $533 million horror franchise.

Amazon’s Jackpot Movie Borrows A Big Chunk Of The Purge’s Premise

Jackpot! borrows the premise of the familiar horror series: The Purge. The Purge timeline is set in a United States dystopia where, once a year, all crime is legal for 12 hours in specific zones, with the films following the horrors of what the acts of the purge entail during this time, regardless of the repercussions for the future. The film shows the endless possibilities of what people will do when there is no consequence for their actions – meaning literally-zero consequence.

There are similarities between Jackpot! and The Purge, starting with the dismissal of crime, since both have a free-for-all attitude towards the legality of things – the only difference is the contrast in genre. The extreme measures taken to get the winning ticket or to get away with any crime are done without repercussions, so people will use that to their advantage in order to obtain the object they want or the pride they need. The Purge’s original premise of crime being legal opened doors for these unlawful acts, and it seems like Jackpot! puts its own spin on it.

A Comedic Purge Movie Could Be The Solution To The Horror Franchise’s Decline

The Purge franchise consists of five films and one TV show, and despite its long list to choose from, all The Purge projects have less than 60% ratings on Rotten Tomatoes. It’s hard to say what exactly the franchise could improve on to boost its overall ratings, but one solution could be a comedic purge film. The concept in itself is captivating – and terrifying if it really happens once a year – but keeping its premise and switching the genre could be what the franchise needs to add a fresh perspective on the film’s conceptualization.

Changing around the genre could also bring in viewer curiosity, since people would probably ask how such a frightening franchise could ever pull off comedic elements. While Jackpot! borrows the premise from The Purge, offering a dark comedic element will present an alternative perspective on the crime-free-for-all plot. If the upcoming film succeeds in its premiere, The Purge franchise has a solution to get back on the market after its decline.

Feig’s upcoming Amazon film Jackpot! has a very similar trope to The Purge franchise in its depiction of the lengths people will go to when their actions will have no consequence in society. Despite its related premise, Jackpot!’s execution of this dark comedic plot could either help the horror franchise or do nothing about its decline, as its potential success could show that dark comedies are selling. Only time will tell about Jackpot!’s performance since it has yet to come out, but once it does, it could truly help The Purge franchise get back on its feet.

Source: Rotten Tomatoes