The 2016 film Patriots Day is a docudrama thriller that chronicles the events surrounding the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing. It depicts the terrorist attack itself, the immediate aftermath, and the city-wide manhunt that followed to identify and capture the individuals responsible. The narrative focuses on the coordinated response of law enforcement, first responders, and government officials, while also highlighting the experiences of survivors and victims.
The film follows a procedural structure, integrating a fictional composite character, Police Sergeant Tommy Saunders, with real-life figures such as FBI Special Agent in Charge Richard DesLauriers and Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis. It details key stages of the investigation, including the analysis of surveillance footage to identify the Tsarnaev brothers, the subsequent murder of MIT Officer Sean Collier, a tense carjacking, and the climactic shootout in Watertown, Massachusetts. The narrative combines dramatized scenes with actual news footage to create an authentic and immersive account of the four-day search.
Ultimately, Patriots Day functions as a tribute to the resilience of the Boston community and the collaborative efforts of local, state, and federal agencies. It emphasizes themes of heroism, civic duty, and communal strength in the face of tragedy, encapsulating the "Boston Strong" spirit that emerged after the attack. The film serves as a historical account that honors the victims and documents the determined and systematic process that brought the perpetrators to justice.
