Review: Boston Strangler

In the early 1960s, women were being hunted in Boston by a crazed serial killer. The crimes were merely glossed over by police and news outlets until one woman, Loretta McLaughlin (Keira Knightley), noticed a pattern and connected the killings. With help from her colleague, Jean Cole (Carrie Coon), the two worked tirelessly to bring justice to the families.

I have worked in journalism for over twelve years now. I have sat in meetings where I was ignored, I have had other people take my ideas and act as if it was their own, and I have been belittled into handling things that only a “woman” should be able to do. It’s an age-old story; it’s a battle most women face every day, whether they work in the field or not. Every day is a fight to be taken seriously and have your voice heard. Seeing these two women on screen fight for the story they wanted to tell was, in a way, cathartic.

This film not only expertly told their story but also highlighted why the compassion that’s ingrained in women is so important. These women put their lives on the line when the police department came up short. In a way, this film is a love letter to them, women, and journalists.

There was a fear of, “Oh no, are they going to show it?” when the film began. To my surprise, writer, and director Matt Ruskin chose not to show the gruesome killings. Instead, these killings are heard and not seen, which in some ways, is more terrifying. With slow camera movements and a dark and gritty tone, the film has uneasy tension with no sense of relief. In fact, the feeling of your hair standing up on the back of your neck never leaves after the credits roll. And that is truly scary.

Keira Knightley is brilliant, as always. She knows how to command the screen, and she knows how to play with the audience. She has subtle sighs and eye rolls that give women the feeling of, “Yup, I’ve been there before.” But her strength comes in the character’s resilience. She never makes herself feel small and exudes confidence in every frame. Carrie Coon also knocks it out of the park. She is a key player in this story, but this is Knightley’s film through and through.

Boston Strangler is just excellent work all around. The pacing is perfect, the acting is fantastic, and the writing is superb. It’s a complex story with twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat. As I said, the killings are heard and not seen, but gruesome images are still shown. Please check all trigger warnings before watching.

This film is streaming on Hulu March 17th.