Boston Strangler Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Two ambitious reporters ignore their families and sleep deprivation to write clickbait about a prolific serial killer, only to discover the real killer was the friends we made along the way… or maybe someone else?

🍿 Boston Strangler: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Initial Murders and Investigation

In 1962 Boston, Loretta McLaughlin, a reporter for the Record-American, notices similarities between three murders of older women. She believes a serial killer is at work, strangling his victims and tying their stockings in a bow. Her editor is hesitant but allows her to investigate alongside experienced reporter Jean Cole, despite facing significant sexism in the workplace.

Growing Public Fear and Media Frenzy

As the body count rises, Loretta and Jean coin the name ‘The Boston Strangler,’ fueling public fear and media attention. They uncover that the Boston Police Department is mishandling the investigation and withholding information. Loretta’s relentless pursuit of the story strains her marriage and puts her family at risk as they face harassment.

Albert DeSalvo and Conflicting Theories

Albert DeSalvo becomes a prime suspect and eventually confesses to the murders. However, inconsistencies and doubts linger, leading Loretta and Jean to question whether he acted alone or was responsible for all the killings. They uncover connections to other suspects, including Daniel Marsh and George Nassar, held at Bridgewater State Hospital.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Loretta McLaughlin (Keira Knightley): A determined reporter who fights sexism to uncover the truth behind the Boston Strangler murders.
• Jean Cole (Carrie Coon): An experienced reporter who teams up with Loretta to investigate the Boston Strangler case.
• Jack Maclaine (Chris Cooper): The editor of the Record-American who initially dismisses Loretta’s theories but eventually supports her investigation.
• Detective Conley (Alessandro Nivola): A detective working on the Boston Strangler case who interacts with the reporters.
• Albert DeSalvo (David Dastmalchian): The prime suspect who confesses to being the Boston Strangler, but whose guilt is questioned.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• George Nassar: “See, you all created a myth, and it needed to be stopped. People wanted to believe it was Al, but they needed to believe it was Albert. The alternative was just too disturbin’.” – Said to Loretta in prison, suggesting the public needed to believe in one ‘Boston Strangler’ to feel safe.
• George Nassar: “There are many Albert DeSalvos out there. And your safe little world is just a delusion. Men kill women. It didn’t start with Albert. Sure as hell doesn’t end with him neither.” – Nassar’s chilling perspective that DeSalvo isn’t an anomaly but part of a larger, disturbing reality of violence.

💰Box Office

• Budget: N/A
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 Boston Strangler Reviews

Personal Review

I found ‘Boston Strangler’ to be a solid, if somewhat subdued, true crime film. Keira Knightley was excellent as Loretta, and I was really drawn into the challenges she faced as a woman in journalism back then. The scenes where she’s facing down dismissive cops or balancing family life were particularly impactful. The ending left me with a lot of questions about the case, which I guess is true to life, but I wanted more resolution. Overall, it’s worth a watch if you’re into the genre!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “True crime enthusiasts”
  • “Fans of investigative thrillers”
  • “Viewers interested in historical dramas”
  • “Those interested in stories about women in journalism”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Depictions of violence”
  • “Murder”
  • “Sexual assault”
  • “Mature themes”
  • “Some disturbing imagery”

Professional Reviews

• ScreenRant: “Knightley delivers a compelling performance, breathing life into Loretta McLaughlin. The film excels in portraying the challenges faced by female reporters in the 1960s. Although the pacing feels slow and somber, ‘Boston Strangler’ offers an insightful look into the relentless pursuit of truth.
• IndieWire: “‘Boston Strangler’ tackles sexism and police incompetence with finesse, but the narrative becomes convoluted with multiple suspects. Keira Knightley and Carrie Coon deliver powerful performances. Despite its flaws, the movie provides an engaging, thought-provoking experience.
• The Guardian: “This film has all the classic hallmarks of a true crime drama, with an emphasis on Keira Knightley as the relentless reporter. ‘Boston Strangler’ lacks the punch of a high-octane thriller but delivers a gripping character-driven narrative set against the backdrop of social change.

Audience Reactions

Many praised the film’s portrayal of the challenges faced by women in the 1960s.: Viewers appreciated the strong performances from Keira Knightley and Carrie Coon, emphasizing their portrayal of determined female reporters.

Some viewers found the film lacked suspense and thrill, feeling it moved too slowly.: Some audience members felt the movie’s attempt to emulate ‘Zodiac’ fell short, with a less compelling narrative.

Overall Consensus: ‘Boston Strangler’ is a well-acted but sometimes slow-paced true crime drama, highlighting the challenges faced by female reporters in the 1960s. While some find it lacking in suspense, the film offers an insightful exploration of the infamous case.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film explores the real-life challenges faced by female journalists in the 1960s, battling sexism and professional obstacles to break the story of the Boston Strangler.”
• “The film is inspired by the true story of Loretta McLaughlin, the reporter who first connected the murders and broke the story of the Boston Strangler.”

🖥️ How to Watch Boston Strangler?

Boston Strangler is currently available for streaming on Hulu. It is also available to rent or purchase on platforms such as Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable or satellite availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Boston Strangler, you might like these similar films:

• Zodiac (2007): Both films focus on the investigation of a serial killer through the eyes of journalists and investigators, highlighting the challenges and obsession involved.
• Spotlight (2015): Explores investigative journalism uncovering a major scandal, similar to the persistent reporting in ‘Boston Strangler’.
• She Said (2022): Focuses on female journalists battling sexism while uncovering a major story, mirroring the experiences of Loretta McLaughlin and Jean Cole.

🛒 Boston Strangler Related Products

• Boston Strangler: The Untold Story of the First Serial Killer Case of the Sixties: Dive deep into the historical case with this gripping non-fiction book. Explore the facts, evidence, and theories surrounding the Boston Strangler murders, providing a comprehensive understanding of the case.
• Newspaper Print Poster – Keira Knightley as Loretta McLaughlin: Display the movie’s essence with this poster designed as a newspaper print featuring Keira Knightley as Loretta McLaughlin.
• 1960s Inspired Fashion Collection: A selection of clothing inspired by the 1960s fashion era depicted in the film, including dresses, skirts, and accessories. Experience the elegance and style of the time with high-quality fabrics and designs.
• True Crime Documentary Collection: A collection of true crime documentaries that explore similar cases of serial killers and investigative journalism. Discover other chilling stories and learn more about the history of criminal investigation.

🎧 Soundtrack

Boston Strangler features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Nowhere to Run” – performed by Martha & The Vandellas
• “Main Theme” – performed by Paul Leonard-Morgan

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The Startling Real Account of the Boston Strangler

Ever wondered how much of ‘Boston Strangler’ is actually true? This video dives into the real-life events, and honestly, the details are even more shocking than the movie! Definitely worth a watch if you want to know the full story.

Albert DeSalvo (Boston Strangler) | Mental Health & Personality

Want to understand what might have driven the Boston Strangler? This video breaks down Albert DeSalvo’s mental health and personality, and it’s pretty fascinating (and disturbing) stuff. It really gives you a new perspective on the case.

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