For the third time in as many years, director Peter Berg and Mark Wahlberg will collaborate to present another true-life account of heroism, tragedy and the power of the human spirit. In 2013, it was Lone Survivor that brought both creatives together, and the pair have since reteamed for the white-knuckle ride known as Deepwater Horizon.
Touting an all-star ensemble and some truly edge-of-your-seat action sequences, Horizon was arguably better than it had any right to be, documenting the true tale of heroism buried beneath the messy BP oil spill of 2010. Their latest project is called Patriots Day, one poised to shift the spotlight three years forward.
For on April 15, 2013, the city of Boston was rocked by a terrorist attack, one which resulted in the deaths of three civilians and hundreds of injuries to runners, bystanders and normal citizens going about their day. An attack on American soil was enough to shake the country to its core, which really lends Patriots Day a sense of pathos. Can it channel the success of Deepwater Horizon in a few weeks’ time? We’ll find out soon.
Rounding out the truly enviable casting docket are Kevin Bacon, John Goodman, J.K. Simmons, Michelle Monaghan, Alex Wolff, Themo Melikidze, James Colby, Michael Beach, Rachel Brosnahan, Christopher O’Shea, Jake Picking, Jimmy O. Yang, Vincent Curatola, Supergirl herself Melissa Benoist and Khandi Alexander.
Patriots Day will enter theaters – and potentially jockey for a place in this year’s awards race – on January 13. Select theaters across Boston, L.A. and New York will be screening the Peter Berg thriller from December 21.
In the aftermath of an unspeakable attack, 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 one of the most sophisticated manhunts in law enforcement history and celebrates the strength of the people of Boston.