Richard Phillips was a real ship captain whose vessel, the Maersk Alabama, was hijacked by Somali pirates. The film accurately portrays his actions and the events of the hijacking.

Muse is based on the real pirate leader involved in the hijacking. The film's portrayal of his motivations and actions aligns with the known details of the incident.

Bilal, along with the other pirates, represents real individuals involved in the hijacking. While specific details of their personalities might be dramatized, their participation is historically accurate.

Najee is another pirate involved in the hijacking, representing the real individuals who carried out the attack.

While the film portrays Phillips as a hero, several crew members have disputed his bravery during the hijacking. This potentially means that large parts of the film is badly depicted.

The film is based on the real-life hijacking of the Maersk Alabama by Somali pirates in April 2009.

The Somali pirates boarded the ship and took Captain Phillips and a few crew members hostage.

While Phillips did prioritize the crew's safety, some specific actions and dialogue are dramatized for the film.

The US Navy engaged in negotiations with the pirates to secure the release of Captain Phillips.

The pirates escaped the Maersk Alabama with Captain Phillips as a hostage in the ship's lifeboat.

The SEALs successfully rescued Captain Phillips, killing three pirates and capturing one.

The film depicts the psychological impact of the ordeal on Phillips, which is consistent with his own accounts.

The film generally follows the actual timeline of events during the hijacking and rescue.

While Phillips and the pirate leader, Abduwali Muse, did interact, the film may embellish their relationship for dramatic effect.

The film provides some context for the pirates' actions, but may not fully explore the complexities of Somali piracy.

The film portrays the Navy's professionalism and dedication to rescuing Captain Phillips.