The 2016 film Patriots Day is a docudrama that chronicles the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing and the subsequent city-wide manhunt for the perpetrators. Its central subject, a noun, is the real-world terrorist event and the unified community and law enforcement response to it. The narrative is anchored by the perspective of Boston Police Department Sergeant Tommy Saunders (Mark Wahlberg), a composite character who is present at the finish line during the attack and becomes integral to the ensuing investigation and four-day search that paralyzed the city.
The film's plot is structured as a procedural thriller, meticulously reconstructing the timeline of events. It details the investigative process led by figures like FBI Special Agent in Charge Richard DesLauriers (Kevin Bacon) and Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis (John Goodman). The narrative interweaves the law enforcement track with the personal stories of victims, first responders, and civilians caught in the events, such as Officer Sean Collier of the MIT Police Department and Dun Meng, the carjacking victim whose escape was critical to locating the suspects. Director Peter Berg integrates actual news reports and surveillance footage to create a high-stakes, realistic portrayal of key moments, including the identification of the Tsarnaev brothers and the intense firefight in Watertown.
Ultimately, the film serves as a tribute to the victims and the resilience of the Boston community, embodying the "Boston Strong" spirit. It explores themes of heroism, civic duty, and the effectiveness of inter-agency cooperation during a crisis. By focusing on the actions of both law enforcement and ordinary citizens, the movie functions as a cinematic testament to the city's collective response to tragedy. The film concludes with interviews and footage of the real-life individuals portrayed, reinforcing its primary purpose as an homage to their experiences.
