Movie Review - Boston Strangler

Director: Matt Ruskin
Genre: Crime/ Drama/ Mystery/ Thriller
Runtime: 112 minutes
Year: 2023
Starring: Keira Knightley, Chris Cooper, Carrie Coon, Alessandro Nivola, Rory Cochrane, David Dastmalchian
 
Description: Loretta McLaughlin (Keira Knightley) was the reporter who first connected the murders and broke the story of the Boston Strangler. She and Jean Cole (Carrie Coon) challenged sexism of the early 1960s to report on the city’s most notorious serial killer.

Review: The ‘Boston Strangler” murders and leaves them all the same way, strangled and with a bow around their necks. Loretta McLaughlin sees the connection between the first three victims and wants to write a piece on the case at all costs. Being a woman, however, he boss says she is especially suited to write for the lifestyle section of Record America. When she picks up the article on her own time, the ball starts rolling. Because of her lack of experience with murder cases, Loretta must team up with Jean Cole, and the two dive deep into the case.

This true story of a journalistic quest is carried by Keira Knightley. “Boston Strangler” is as solid as you would expect when her name is attached to a project. Solid, but at the same time at no point exceptional. Knightley and Carrie Coon play their roles convincingly, the premise is gripping enough and the direction is fine. The color palette is a bit on the dark side to evoke extra tension. With all these elements, this film in particular feels like a somewhat bland rip-off of rock-solid thrillers like “Zodiac”.

Occasionally, the script shows potential. Unfortunately, those more unique angles are not fleshed out enough. The script is embellished with the struggles of women in the 1960s in the male dominated world of journalism, but at the same time it abandons that aspect relatively quickly. The effects the murders have on the women in Boston is also touched upon in a few short scenes.

Although “Boston Strangler” comes with a number of twists, its suspense is moderate. Some of the hints are very obvious and strongly indicate the direction Loretta eventually ends up going. It doesn’t bother too much, however, as Loretta is never portrayed as a brilliant journalist. She is persistent, but not without faults, which is particularly revealed in the way her relationship with Jean is outlined.

The chemistry between the two journalists is the heart of the movie. Jean is more experiences and teaches Loretta. Although Loretta sometimes tries to push her away, it is nice to see these two woman in a man’s world helping each other rather than fighting. The likeable main characters combined with an interesting serial killer plot, make “Boston Strangler” a fine film, but one that does not rise above the genre.

Rating: 3/ 5