Boston Strangler (2023)
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2025-09 to 2026-08
A reporter's dogged investigation into a series of brutal murders in 1960s Boston uncovers a web of sexism, police incompetence, and a chilling serial killer.
The story
In 1962, Boston Record American reporter Loretta McLaughlin investigates three cases of older women who were raped and murdered by strangulation in the Boston area. She confirms the victims all had stockings tied around their necks in a bow, likely connecting the crimes to a serial killer. The investigation angers both law enforcement and Loretta's boss, who intends to silence her to protect the company. Despite facing rampant sexism in her workplace and society, Loretta and fellow reporter Jean Cole continue their work, eventually coining the name 'the Boston Strangler' as they delve deeper into the mystery.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
In 1962, reporter Loretta McLaughlin begins investigating a series of strangulations in Boston, identifying a pattern of stockings tied in bows. Facing threats from her boss and societal sexism, she and colleague Jean Cole continue the work, naming the killer 'the Boston Strangler.' The investigation expands as a younger victim is found, revealing police incompetence and a lack of cooperation with other cities. Albert DeSalvo is eventually taken into custody and confesses to 13 murders, but is convicted only for robbery and sexual offenses due to lack of evidence. By 1965, Loretta discovers similar murders in Michigan, leading to the arrest of Daniel Marsh. In 1973, DeSalvo is killed in prison before meeting Loretta. Loretta later learns from a former patient that DeSalvo, Marsh, and George Nassar were held together and that DeSalvo's confession may have been coached. Loretta and Jean eventually propose a theory that Paul Dempsey committed the initial murders before moving to New York, with DeSalvo acting as a copycat who confessed to claim rewards and a book deal. The film ends with Loretta becoming a medical reporter and Jean continuing her investigative work.
- First release year
- 2023
- Runtime (minutes)
- 112
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Matt Ruskin
- Writers
- Matt Ruskin · writer
- Cast and characters
- Keira Knightley · Loretta McLaughlin; Carrie Coon · Jean Cole; Alessandro Nivola · Detective Conley; David Dastmalchian · Albert DeSalvo; Morgan Spector · James McLaughlin; Bill Camp · Commissioner Edmund McNamara; Chris Cooper · Jack MacLaine; Robert John Burke · Eddie Holland
- Genres
- historical; crime; drama
- Themes
- sexism; journalism; serial murder; police incompetence
- Tone and mood
- unsettling; dreary; stylized
- Premise and plot tags
- true story; historical; crime drama; based on actual events
- Source material / true-story basis
- True story of the Boston Strangler
- Reception
- The film received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising the lead performance and others criticizing the pacing and lack of emotional resonance.
- Reported review scores
- Metacritic · score: 58 · scale: 100 · review count: 30
- Awards and nominations
- Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography in Limited or Anthology Series, or Motion Picture Made for Television · American Society of Cinematographers Awards · 2023 · win; Outstanding Cinematography for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie · 75th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards · 2023 · nomination
- Production trivia
- A house in Belmont, Massachusetts, stood in for the home of reporter Loretta McLaughlin.; The Winn Brook Elementary School was transformed into the Cambridge Police Department for second unit filming.; The school was paid $5,000 to be in the film.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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