11 Based on True Events Movies Featuring Fictional Main Characters

      Movies inspired by true stories are generally quite accurate, apart from their fictionalized central characters.

      Does the knowledge that the lead characters—sometimes even the protagonists—are creations of Hollywood diminish your enjoyment of these films? Or do you approach movies with the intention of being entertained, later researching the actual events to uncover the truth?

      Regardless, here are 12 films based on true stories that feature fictional lead characters.

      **Tommy Saunders in Patriots Day (2016)**

      In the based-on-a-true-story drama *Patriots Day* about the Boston Marathon bombing, the character Tommy Saunders, portrayed by Mark Wahlberg, is entirely fictional. He witnesses every significant moment from the tragic day of April 15, 2013, including the bombing and the apprehension of one of the bombers. Some critics argue that Wahlberg's portrayal appears self-promoting regarding the disaster in his hometown.

      However, director Peter Berg clarified to *The Washington Post* that the character was intended to symbolize the bravery of numerous police officers. Saunders is a composite figure, merging traits from several real individuals, similar to many fictional heroes on this list.

      “We found it more appropriate to create a fictional character than to falsely portray a singular, heroic cop who accomplished feats that never happened, which would have deeply upset the Boston Police Department,” Berg explained. “When we decided to use a composite character, everyone was comfortable with it. It felt more genuine since there was no singular supercop— it was a collective effort.”

      **Carl Hanratty in Catch Me If You Can (2002)**

      In *Catch Me If You Can*, which is grounded in real events, Frank Abagnale Jr., the charming con artist played by Leonardo DiCaprio, is indeed a real person.

      Conversely, the investigator who tracks him down, Carl Hanratty, portrayed by Tom Hanks, is a fictional character inspired by several agents, particularly Joe Shea, who remained out of the public eye during his lifetime and passed away in 2005.

      “Shea was involved in various notable cases, including the Barbara Jane Mackle kidnapping and the Frank Abagnale case,” noted his obituary.

      **Commander Bolton in Dunkirk (2016)**

      *Dunkirk* is a favorite among films based on real events and is particularly uplifting. While it features several authentic military officers, the character most prominently displayed on screen—Commander Bolton, played by Kenneth Branagh—is a composite character.

      Writer-director Christopher Nolan stated that he opted for composite characters to narrate a significant moment in World War II rather than highlight individual stories.

      “We have fictional characters with made-up names; we’re not aiming to tell a specific person’s story here,” he stated to *USA Today*. “However, the broader movements depicted are accurate.” He also mentioned that he hoped the film would motivate viewers to learn about the real individuals involved.

      **Rayon in Dallas Buyers’ Club (2013)**

      Jared Leto received an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Rayon, a transgender woman essential to Ronald Woodruff’s story, a real person played by Matthew McConaughey. Woodruff established a "buyers club" in the 1980s to provide AIDS treatments to those in need.

      However, the character Rayon is entirely fictional. Screenwriters Craig Borten and Melisa Wallack consulted with transgender AIDS patients, activists, and doctors for the film, using their insights to shape the composite characters of Rayon and Dr. Eve Saks (Jennifer Garner).

      While today’s Hollywood would likely not cast a non-transgender actor in a transgender role, at the time of the film’s release, both it and Leto were celebrated for their sensitivity.

      **Sari in Cocaine Bear (2023)**

      *Cocaine Bear* is loosely based on a true incident involving a 175-pound black bear discovering a stash of cocaine in Georgia in December 1985.

      Indeed, the cocaine found its way into the woods due to Andrew Carter Thornton II, a former paratrooper, police officer, and lawyer who leaped from a Cessna 404 with about 77 pounds of cocaine attached to him.

      In *Cocaine Bear*, Matthew Rhys briefly portrays Thornton, while Keri Russell, his co-star from *Americans*, plays Sari, a nurse attempting to rescue her daughter Dee Dee from the intoxicated bear.

      However, Sari is not based on a real person. Most elements of the film are fictional beyond the initial events.

      **Kayla in Bombshell (2019)**

      *Bombshell* narrates the experiences of three women—Megyn Kelly, Gretchen Carlson, and Kayla Pospisil—who played pivotal roles in revealing sexual harassment at Fox News. The resignation of Fox News chief Roger Ailes amid sexual assault allegations and the network's $50 million settlement for harassment claims are factual events.

      While Kelly (portrayed by Charlize Theron) and Carlson