Patriots Day

Name: Patriots Day
Genre: Drama, History, Thriller
Released: December 21, 2016
Duration: 133 min
Rating: 69
Cast: J.K. Simmons, John Goodman, Mark Wahlberg, Michelle Monaghan

2016

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 42 Critics

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 138 Ratings

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7.1	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 138 Ratings

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Patriots Day

Movie Details & Credits

Lionsgate | Release Date: December 21, 2016

Starring: J.K. Simmons, John Goodman, Mark Wahlberg, Michelle Monaghan

Summary: In the aftermath of an unspeakable act of terror, Police Sergeant Tommy Saunders (Mark Wahlberg) joins courageous survivors, first responders and investigators in a race against the clock to hunt down the bombers before they strike again. Weaving together the stories of Special Agent Richard DesLauriers (Kevin Bacon), Police Commissioner EdIn the aftermath of an unspeakable act of terror, Police Sergeant Tommy Saunders (Mark Wahlberg) joins courageous survivors, first responders and investigators in a race against the clock to hunt down the bombers before they strike again. Weaving together the stories of Special Agent Richard DesLauriers (Kevin Bacon), Police Commissioner Ed Davis (John Goodman), Sergeant Jeffrey Pugliese (J.K. Simmons) and nurse Carol Saunders (Michelle Monaghan) this visceral and unflinching chronicle captures the suspense of the most sophisticated manhunt in law enforcement history and the strength of the people of Boston.… Expand

Director: Peter Berg

Genre(s): Drama, History, Thriller

Rating: R

Runtime: 133 min

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Critic Reviews

100

New York Post - Kyle Smith

Dec 20, 2016

A great American movie about the greatness of ordinary Americans, Patriots Day combines an electrifying manhunt with the intimacy and feel for character writer-director Peter Berg showed in his brilliant TV series “Friday Night Lights.” Read full review

The Guardian - Lanre Bakare

Nov 18, 2016

There’s little doubt who the hero of Peter Berg’s retelling of the 2013 Boston marathon bombings is: the city itself. Read full review

Time - Stephanie Zacharek

Jan 12, 2017

Patriots Day, muscular and confident, falls right in line with Berg’s other work. And you might feel a little dirty after watching it, as if you’d been granted access to real-life suffering and tragedy that perhaps should have remained private. Read full review

IndieWire - Steve Greene

Nov 18, 2016

Historians, media scholars and even Boston citizens may debate whether this is the most worthy way to honor those fallen in the attacks. But Berg mounts a heartfelt, harrowing tribute to the film’s real-life heroes. Read full review

TheWrap - Alonso Duralde

Nov 18, 2016

As a retelling of a tragedy that had its moments of heroism among uniformed personnel and indefatigable civilians alike, it gets the job done. Read full review

RogerEbert.com - Sheila O'Malley

Dec 21, 2016

The hero worship of a fictional character in the midst of all of this real-life drama is a mistake. Read full review

The Film Stage - John Fink

Dec 20, 2016

Patriots Day may, in fact, embrace the spirit of the days following the bombing, but the scattered framing leaves one wanting more. Read full review

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User Reviews

UNARMED_JORD

Feb 21, 2017

Patriots day is a fantastic dramatization of the events involved in an excellent and emotive manner as a lot of the movie is dedicated to the depth of emotion

2 of 6 users found this helpful24

moviemitch96

Jan 14, 2017

Going into this film, I simply expected yet another well-done Peter Berg/Mark Wahlberg true story pic following Deepwater Horizon from only a few months prior and 2013's Lone Survivor. What I got instead was not only Berg and Wahlberg's best film together yet, but also one of the mostGoing into this film, I simply expected yet another well-done Peter Berg/Mark Wahlberg true story pic following Deepwater Horizon from only a few months prior and 2013's Lone Survivor. What I got instead was not only Berg and Wahlberg's best film together yet, but also one of the most harrowing, powerful, hard to watch, yet timely and essential films of 2016! I couldn't believe how intense the film got at times and the acting from Wahlberg and everyone else involved was solid and committed. Overall, this is a must-see for those looking for inspiration and hope as the end result of one intense yet solid and memorable film!… Expand

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

eagleeyeviking

Jan 13, 2017

Peter Berg's Patriot's Day is an intense and heartbreaking, yet delicate docudrama that recreates events of the Boston Marathon bombing while realising the sensitive nature of the tragedy as to not exploit it. It's solidly crafted by diversifying its main characters to include heads ofPeter Berg's Patriot's Day is an intense and heartbreaking, yet delicate docudrama that recreates events of the Boston Marathon bombing while realising the sensitive nature of the tragedy as to not exploit it. It's solidly crafted by diversifying its main characters to include heads of police, the police and the people to deliver the moral that love trumps hate.… Expand

6 of 7 users found this helpful61

BHBarry

Jan 8, 2017

Patriots Day” is a docudrama depicting the events that occurred in Boston at the running of its world famous marathon on April 15, 2013. The film was directed by Peter Berg who co-wrote the screenplay with Matt Cook and Joshua Zimmer. Splendidly acted by Mark Wahlberg, Kevin Bacon, JohnPatriots Day” is a docudrama depicting the events that occurred in Boston at the running of its world famous marathon on April 15, 2013. The film was directed by Peter Berg who co-wrote the screenplay with Matt Cook and Joshua Zimmer. Splendidly acted by Mark Wahlberg, Kevin Bacon, John Goodman and J.K. Simmons, the film tells in detail the efforts of law enforcement to track down and ultimately either capture or kill the two terrorist brothers responsible for the attack. One might wonder how a film can engender suspense and interest when its outcome is already known to most if not all of its viewers. “Sully” is a perfect example that such a feat can be accomplshed when there is enough material and good writing to make it happen. Also, like “Sully” the coda at the end of the film introduces us to the real life people who were portrayed in the film which gives glaring reality to the events depicted in it. I truly enjoyed the film, not only for the good writing and acting , but for the information imparted to the audience as law enforcement worked tirelessy and with speed to end the nightmare that befell the City of Boston. I give the film an 8 rating because, amidst the suffering and tragedy associated with the event, there is also an acknowledgment of the ability of the human spirit to survive and move forward proving once again that “’Boston Strong” was not just a phrase but a fact..… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

JamesIrish68

Nov 19, 2018

Peter Berg Mark Wahlberg collaboration in the same vein as Lone Survivor and Deep-water Horizon. A good one too. Wahlberg is very effective as Boston policeman Saunders, so effective that when I looked him up afterwards I was surprised to find out that he was actually a fictional character,Peter Berg Mark Wahlberg collaboration in the same vein as Lone Survivor and Deep-water Horizon. A good one too. Wahlberg is very effective as Boston policeman Saunders, so effective that when I looked him up afterwards I was surprised to find out that he was actually a fictional character, a collage of typical Boston cops rolled into one. He serves as a device for us to view the events before, during and after the bombing. Whether that's a good thing or a bad thing is up to the viewer. The stories of the victims and law enforcement are skillfully narrated. My favourite being Du Meng. Heartbreaking and uplifting in equal measure. It doesn't shy either from showing the inadequacy of the American multi agency law enforcement model, the defencelessness of society from determined terrorists or the incompetence of local police.
Minus points for the semi sympathetic and superficial portrayal of the bombers… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Brent_Marchant

Jan 15, 2017

Despite a number of truly compelling sequences, several fine performances (especially that of Alex Wolff) and a lot of good intentions, this re-creation of the events surrounding the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing unfortunately comes up somewhat uneven. The film definitely gets better as itDespite a number of truly compelling sequences, several fine performances (especially that of Alex Wolff) and a lot of good intentions, this re-creation of the events surrounding the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing unfortunately comes up somewhat uneven. The film definitely gets better as it goes along, but its first 45 minutes drag needlessly at times with production values that are about on par with an average made-for-TV movie. Overall a nice try that, with some shoring up, could have made it a much better picture.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

imthenoob

Mar 27, 2017

A totally needless film that exploits a national tragedy that happened less than 4 years ago and I am glad that no one bothered with it during the original theatrical release. I'm sure the director and the cast meant well but I think not only is it far too soon but it lacked the actual dramaA totally needless film that exploits a national tragedy that happened less than 4 years ago and I am glad that no one bothered with it during the original theatrical release. I'm sure the director and the cast meant well but I think not only is it far too soon but it lacked the actual drama and turmoil that happened during these events. Instead they turned it into a corny action flick with sub plots that felt half baked.… Expand

2 of 5 users found this helpful23

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