Is Spenser Confidential Based On A True Story? Influences Explained

With Spenser Confidential now officially available to stream on Netflix, we break down its influences and whether it's based on real events.

Netflix's Spenser Confidential has been officially released globally - but is it based on a true story? Directed by Peter Berg, the film marks his fifth collaboration with Mark Wahlberg following 2018's Mile 22. Wahlberg stars as Spenser, a former Boston police officer who was imprisoned on a charge of aggravated assault against his captain John Boylan (Michael Gaston). Released after a five-year sentence, Spenser immediately goes about rebuilding his life - with the intention of moving to Arizona and taking up a new career. Unfortunately, the murder of Boylan brings Spenser immediately into various local crosshairs. Equally, the supposed suicide of another former colleague potentially connected to the crime serves to draw Spenser into investigating a web of murder, drug trafficking, and police corruption.

Spenser Confidential also stars Alan Arkin, Iliza Shlesinger, Bokeem Woodbine, and Black Panther's Winston Duke. Interspersed with frequent set-pieces both action-packed and comedically driven, Spenser Confidential has proven extremely successful for the streaming service. Despite extremely lukewarm reviews at best, it has remained consistently in Netflix's Top 10 rankings around the world since its release. Whether or not that will translate into the kind of sequel teased in the film's concluding moments, however, remains to be seen.

Much clearer is whether or not the film was based on a true story. Berg and Wahlberg's collaborations - such as Deepwater Horizon and Patriots Day - often veer into the territory of actual events. As such, many could be forgiven for thinking that their latest could fall under the same category. That is very much not the case with Spenser Confidential, which is largely a work of fiction and loosely based on the book Wonderland by Ace Atkins. Published in 2013, Wonderland is actually Atkins' second novel in the Spenser series. However, it marked the character's 43rd outing overall. Initially created by Robert B. Parker, the character first debuted in 1973's The Godwulf Manuscript before being fleshed out and having his world expanded in subsequent decades.

As is the case with such hard-boiled detective stories, however, both the book and subsequently the film weaves in the kind of crimes and corruption that are commonplace around the world. Alongside these are the sorts of myths and conspiracies that often tie crime with casinos. This no doubt comes as a product of Atkins' time as a renowned crime reporter for the Tampa Tribune. The latter, especially, comes direct from the Wonderland novel - with the casino serving as the crux of the agenda on both the page and the screen. How Spenser Confidential gets there, though, takes some cues from the Spenser for Hire television adaptation that ran from 1985 to 1988 - especially in regards to Spenser being a former Boston police officer rather than a war veteran and state trooper.

The film is also not short on similarities with several cinematic offerings both recent and more retro. Spenser Confidential shares a lot of DNA with such works of Ben Affleck as State of Play and The Town, especially in terms of investigating criminal conspiracies and exploring the criminal underbelly of Boston. Equally, there are more than a few comparisons that can be made to such classic buddy-cop adventures as Lethal Weapon and 48 Hours, particularly in the dynamic between Spenser and Duke's character, Hawk.

Even some of Wahlberg's past work doesn't go without reference or even mockery - with Spenser Confidential and its view of Boston and boxing clubs sharing more than a few shades with The Fighter. Equally, even the various works of Martin Scorsese is somewhat reflected in the film's albeit more action-focused package. In a particular touch, even The Departed seems to receive a tongue-in-cheek nod - made all the more meta by Wahlberg's delivery. All of this and more contributing to the melting pot of a movie no doubt helped to add to the popular appeal Spenser Confidential has managed to amass since its release.

More: Every Song on Spenser Confidential's Soundtrack

Spenser Confidential is available to stream now on Netflix.