Jake Gyllenhaal’s New Movie ‘Stronger’ Looks Inspiring As Hell

Jake Gyllenhaal stars as Jeff Bauman, the real-life survivor of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, in the forthcoming film, Stronger. Based on Bauman's novel of the same name, Stronger follows the days leading up to the marathon and the aftermath, including the physical rehab Bauman had to go through after losing both of his legs in the blast. Tatiana Maslany (Orphan Black) stars at Erin, Bauman's girlfriend who was running the marathon while Bauman waited at the finish line, his first time ever attending the annual event.

Bauman became the face of survival and carnage in the days following the bombing. Graphic images of his rescue show the violence that occurred, but also the heroism and strength Boston citizens demonstrated. He helped identify one of the bombers from his hospital bed and went on to become a symbol of the Boston Strong mentality. "They are the heroes," Bauman writes in his novel of the people who tended to his wounds, "they gave me this opportunity. They gave me the chance to prove that I—that we—are better than cowards with bombs. That we’re not broken. And we’re not afraid."

Stronger hits theaters September 22.