The 2016 film Patriots Day is a docudrama that chronicles the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing and the subsequent city-wide manhunt for the perpetrators. The narrative follows the event from multiple perspectives, primarily centered on the fictional composite character of Boston Police Sergeant Tommy Saunders. The film depicts the terrorist attack at the marathon's finish line, the immediate response by first responders and civilians, and the intensive, four-day investigation to identify and capture those responsible.
Directed by Peter Berg, the film presents a detailed procedural timeline based on the book Boston Strong: A City's Triumph over Tragedy. It meticulously reconstructs key moments of the manhunt, including the FBI's analysis of surveillance footage to identify the Tsarnaev brothers, the murder of MIT Police Officer Sean Collier, a carjacking that allowed authorities to track the suspects, and the climactic shootout in Watertown. The narrative structure interweaves the storylines of law enforcement officials, such as FBI Special Agent Richard DesLauriers, with those of survivors and other individuals directly impacted by the events, aiming to provide a comprehensive account of the crisis as it unfolded.
Ultimately, the film functions as a tribute to the resilience and unity of the Boston community. By integrating actual news footage and featuring real-life survivors in its closing moments, it emphasizes themes of heroism, civic duty, and solidarity in the face of terror. The movie's purpose is not only to serve as an action-thriller recounting the investigation but also as a memorial to the victims and a celebration of the collective spirit, encapsulated by the "Boston Strong" mantra, that emerged from the tragedy.
