If the real - life experience was of a person who had a near - death experience during a night swim, this could be used to build tension and drama in 'Night Swim'. The creators might have taken the emotions, like fear and survival instinct from the real event, and incorporated them into the story. They could also use the setting and details from the real - life swim, such as the look of the water at night, the sounds, etc. to make the story more vivid.
The real - life experience gives authenticity to 'Night Swim'. It could be that the real - life swimmer had a unique relationship with the water at night. Maybe they felt a sense of freedom or unease that was so powerful that it inspired the creators to explore those feelings in the story. The creators may also have interviewed the person who had the real - life experience to get more details about their thoughts, feelings, and the small things that happened during the swim. These details can be used to create more believable characters and a more engaging story. For example, if the real - life swimmer noticed a strange light in the water during their swim, this could be turned into a mysterious element in the 'Night Swim' story.