The 2016 film Patriots Day is a docudrama that chronicles the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing and the extensive manhunt that followed to find the perpetrators. The narrative centers on the coordinated response of law enforcement, first responders, and government officials as they piece together evidence in the immediate aftermath of the terrorist attack. It follows the timeline of events over the subsequent 102 hours, depicting the city-wide lockdown and the intensive investigation that led to the identification and pursuit of the two brothers responsible.
The film integrates authentic news footage and surveillance video with dramatized reenactments to create a detailed procedural account. It follows several intersecting storylines, including that of Boston Police Sergeant Tommy Saunders (a composite character played by Mark Wahlberg), FBI Special Agent Richard DesLauriers, and Police Commissioner Ed Davis, as well as the experiences of victims and civilians. Key events meticulously reconstructed include the analysis of CCTV footage to identify the suspects, the murder of MIT Police Officer Sean Collier, a carjacking by the fleeing suspects, and the violent shootout in the residential streets of Watertown, Massachusetts.
As an interpretation of historical events, the film functions as both a thriller and a tribute. It explores themes of civic resilience, heroism, and the power of a community uniting in the face of tragedy, exemplified by the "Boston Strong" movement. The narrative emphasizes the collaborative, and at times conflicting, efforts of local and federal agencies working under immense pressure. Ultimately, it serves to document the human cost of the attack while celebrating the collective resolve and professional dedication that led to the resolution of the crisis.
