Boston Strangler (2023)

STRANGLER DANGLER

For those who don’t know about the infamous string of killings that shook Boston in the 1960s — 13 women killed in near-identical circumstances, all strangled to death with the bodies left decorated with a stocking bow tie around the neck — this movie revisits the investigation and conviction of the prime suspect (who was later killed while in jail). Thanks to the specific circumstances of the confession by the prime suspect, the murders of 12 of the victims remain officially unsolved to this day. Only one of the murders has been definitively linked to the suspect, as a result of DNA tests performed as recently as 2013!

“Boston Strangler” lays out two things for viewers: fact, and speculation. Both are neatly handled by the director and cast, and the narrative relies more on a dramatisation of facts rather than speculative fiction. With most of the details of the case available from public records and anecdotes, this was perhaps the best way to handle the subject.

Keira Knightley and Carrie Coon play Loretta McLaughlin and Jean Cole, respectively — two real-life, no-nonsense reporters at ‘The Boston Record-American’, whose articles drove much of the public interest in the case, and the ones who coined the moniker “Boston Strangler”. The movie begins with McLaughlin discovering a connection between several murders and then follows the two reporters in their dogged pursuit of the truth behind the murders, which pointed, in their opinion, to a serial killer.

They battle workplace sexism, commonplace skepticism of ‘women reporters’ (it is set in the 60s, remember?), and marital trouble — to come up trumps. How they do this — with a few good cinematic moments and punchlines — makes for good viewing, but not an edge-of-the-seat thriller.

All the pieces fall into place well, the characters are nuanced enough, and the performances are to task. The pacing is even, and the narrative is solid. What it lacks though is that secret ingredient that makes magic out of such stories. There’s no jump-up thrill in discovering twists in the plot; and it feels like something is missing in the end, especially with the speculation thrown in (no spoilers here!).

The best part of the movie are the two women protagonists who go against norm to hold their own in the ‘man’s world’ of crime reporting of the time, especially Carrie Coon’s character, with whom she bears a striking resemblance. Keira Knightley glides through her portrayal as well, with the right amount of emotional depth, but nothing stellar. Chris Cooper as their boss is solid as usual. Finally, David Dastmalchian as Albert DeSalvo looks uncannily like the infamous Boston Strangler.

Watch it on a quiet weekend, when you’re in the mood for a true-life crime thriller. You won’t spend any sleepless nights after watching this one, don’t worry, even though it is about a serial killer.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2560078