The 2016 film Patriots Day is a dramatization based on the true events of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing and the subsequent manhunt for the perpetrators. The narrative is adapted from the non-fiction book Boston Strong: A City's Triumph Over Tragedy by Casey Sherman and Dave Wedge, alongside extensive research and interviews with individuals involved in the real-life events.
While the film accurately reconstructs the timeline of the bombing, the investigation, the murder of MIT Police Officer Sean Collier, the Watertown shootout, and the final capture of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, it employs a common cinematic device to streamline the complex narrative. The central character, Boston Police Sergeant Tommy Saunders (portrayed by Mark Wahlberg), is a fictional composite. He was created to represent the collective experiences and actions of multiple law enforcement officers, serving as a narrative anchor to connect the various real-life storylines. In contrast, many other key figures, such as Police Commissioner Ed Davis, FBI Special Agent Richard DesLauriers, and Sergeant Jeffrey Pugliese, are based directly on their real-world counterparts.
Therefore, the film's foundation is factual, using actual events, locations, and individuals to portray the tragedy and the city's response. However, its use of a composite protagonist and condensed conversations for dramatic effect classifies it as a historical drama rather than a documentary. The production prioritizes an authentic depiction of the overall incident and the spirit of community resilience, while taking creative liberties with specific characters to create a cohesive cinematic experience.
