The motion picture "Patriots Day" received an R rating from the Motion Picture Association (MPA) for "violence, realistically graphic injury images, language throughout and some drug use." This rating indicates that the film contains material considered unsuitable for viewers under the age of 17 without an accompanying parent or adult guardian.
The R rating is primarily a result of the film's realistic and intense depiction of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing and its aftermath. The element of "violence" encompasses the explosions themselves, as well as the protracted and violent shootout between law enforcement and the perpetrators in Watertown. The "realistically graphic injury images" refer to the explicit portrayal of the severe, life-altering wounds sustained by victims at the bombing site, which the film presents with visceral and disturbing detail to convey the true horror of the event. Furthermore, "language throughout" pertains to the frequent and strong use of profanity by characters, reflecting the high-stress environment of the city-wide manhunt. The "some drug use" component refers to minor scenes or dialogue related to substance use.
Ultimately, the film's commitment to historical accuracy and realism in portraying a traumatic event necessitated the R rating. The combination of intense, startling violence, graphic depictions of its consequences, and pervasive strong language creates an experience that is emotionally and thematically mature. The MPA determined that the cumulative impact of this content was too intense for younger audiences, warranting the restricted classification.
