Based on the real John McLoughlin. Nicolas Cage portrays his experience being trapped deep in the rubble after the towers collapsed. McLoughlin consulted on the film, ensuring accuracy to his experience.

Based on the real Will Jimeno. Michael Peña portrays his experience being trapped alongside McLoughlin. Jimeno also consulted on the film, ensuring accuracy to his account.

Based on the real Donna McLoughlin. Maria Bello portrays her anguished wait for news about her husband, reflecting the real experiences of families on 9/11.

Based on the real Allison Jimeno. Maggie Gyllenhaal portrays her experience waiting for news while pregnant, accurately reflecting her situation on 9/11.

Based on the real Dominick Pezzulo, who was with McLoughlin and Jimeno but died from injuries sustained in the collapse shortly after. Jay Hernandez portrays his bravery.

Based on the real Antonio Rodrigues, part of McLoughlin's initial PAPD team responding to the towers.

McLoughlin, Jimeno, Pezzulo and others were part of the Port Authority Police response entering the World Trade Center complex to assist with evacuation and rescue after the planes hit.

The team retrieving equipment from Building 5 before entering the concourse between the towers is accurate to McLoughlin's account.

McLoughlin, Jimeno, and Pezzulo were in the WTC concourse near a freight elevator when the South Tower collapsed, trapping them in the debris, matching their real experience.

Dominick Pezzulo survived the initial collapse relatively unpinned but was fatally injured by falling debris while trying to free Jimeno, accurately reflecting his heroic actions.

Both officers were severely pinned by concrete and steel deep beneath the rubble pile for many hours.

The film depicts their conversations and moments of hallucination/vision (like Jimeno seeing Jesus). While based on their recollections, specific dialogue and imagery are likely dramatized for the film.

The depiction of Donna McLoughlin and Allison Jimeno enduring an agonizing wait, seeking information, and supporting each other accurately reflects the reality for countless families on 9/11.

Karnes, an accountant and Marine reservist, did feel compelled to go to Ground Zero from his office in Connecticut to assist, obtaining a uniform and gear along the way.

Karnes did team up with another Marine, Jason Thomas (whose identity was unknown for years after 9/11), and they searched the perilous site calling out for survivors.

The two Marines heard the officers' calls for help and were the first to locate them deep within the debris field late on the night of September 11th.

The subsequent rescue involving FDNY, NYPD ESU, paramedics and others was extremely complex, dangerous, and time-consuming (taking hours), accurately reflected in the film.

Will Jimeno was extricated after about 13 hours trapped; John McLoughlin, buried deeper, was rescued after approximately 22 hours.

The film deliberately avoids focusing on the attackers or the political context, centering tightly on the human story of survival, rescue, and family support, as intended by the filmmakers and survivors.

The film accurately portrays the severe, life-threatening injuries (crush injuries, compartment syndrome) sustained by both McLoughlin and Jimeno, requiring extensive surgeries and rehabilitation.

Briefly shows the WTC concourse and lobby areas before the collapses, recreating the environment where the officers were operating.

The film uses detailed sets and effects to realistically portray the dangerous, chaotic, and vast debris field of Ground Zero where the officers were trapped and the rescue took place.

Captures the shock, confusion, dust-filled air, and emergency response mobilization throughout the city immediately following the attacks.

The film accurately focuses on the events unfolding during the day of the attacks and the immediate rescue period over the following day.

Accurately shows the massive, coordinated (though initially chaotic) response of various NYC first responder agencies at Ground Zero, highlighting inter-agency cooperation during the rescue efforts.

Portrays accurate uniforms and equipment used by PAPD, FDNY, NYPD ESU personnel, and the Marines involved in the rescue, as well as period-appropriate civilian clothing.

Realistically depicts the stressful environments where families gathered awaiting news and where survivors received medical treatment.