The surprise drop of the trailer for Universal Pictures’ The Purge: Election Year reveals the next terrifying chapter that occurs over 12 hours of annual lawlessness sanctioned by the New Founders of America to keep this country great.

In the first ever story details, “It’s been two years since Leo Barnes (Frank Grillo) stopped himself from a regrettable act of revenge on Purge Night. Now serving as head of security for Senator Charlie Roan (Elizabeth Mitchell), his mission is to protect her in a run for president and survive the annual ritual that targets the poor and innocent. But when a betrayal forces them onto the streets of D.C. on the one night when no help is available, they must stay alive until dawn…or both be sacrificed for their sins against the state.“

With our own election to happen later this year, it’s a brilliant marketing move by Universal Pictures to tie their own campaign to it and use it to support the July 1 release.

As for the trailer, it’s pretty fantastic. While The Purge had an awesome screenplay and concept, the film itself was extremely disappointing. The sequel, Anarchy, took to the streets in an 80’s-styled revenge thriller that channeled John Carpenter’s Escape From New York. Now, with Election Year, it looks like Blumhouse is doing what they couldn’t with the Paranormal Activity franchise – build and expand the universe, while also furthering the story. In this trailer we see a lot more of the “New Founders of America” with a tie-in to candidates actually campaigning for an end to the Purge. The first movie felt a bit claustrophobic, and thankfully the second took viewers outside of a house – with Election, I think it’s time that we really get to see the top of the food chain in action.

James DeMonaco writes and directs The Purge: Election Year, with returning producers Blumhouse Productions’ Jason Blum (Insidious, Ouija), Platinum Dunes partners Michael Bay, Brad Fuller and Andrew Form (Friday the 13th, A Nightmare On Elm Street, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre), and DeMonaco’s longtime production partner, Sébastien K. Lemercier (Assault on Precinct 13, Four Lovers).