Boston Strangler

"Inspired by a true story"

2023 1h 53m EN

👍

6.6

SOLID

★6.6TMDB · 881

CrimeMysteryThriller

Synopsis

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Reporters Loretta McLaughlin and Jean Cole bravely pursue the story of the Boston Strangler at great personal risk, putting their own lives on the line in their quest to uncover the truth.

“Inspired by a true story”

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Where to watch · US

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Cast

Keira Knightley
Loretta McLaughlin
Carrie Coon
Jean Cole
Chris Cooper
Jack Maclaine
Alessandro Nivola
Detective Conley
Rory Cochrane
Detective Deline
David Dastmalchian
Albert DeSalvo
Peter Gerety
Eddie Corsetti
Robert John Burke
Eddie Holland

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Matt Ruskin
Writers: Matt Ruskin, Mike Pappa
Languages: English
Countries: United States of America

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 7

ERA

Did you know

Released 3 years ago.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 7

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Matt Ruskin, shot by Ben Kutchins. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 7

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Paul Leonard-Morgan. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 7

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Anne McCabe shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 7

CAST

Did you know

Keira Knightley and Carrie Coon and Chris Cooper carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 7

FACT

Did you know

Marketing tagline: "Inspired by a true story".

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 7

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt2560078 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Matt Ruskin directs. Ben Kutchins behind the camera. Paul Leonard-Morgan scores. Anne McCabe cuts. Produced in United States of America. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Released 3 years ago.
2Directed by Matt Ruskin, shot by Ben Kutchins. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
3Original score by Paul Leonard-Morgan. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
4Editor Anne McCabe shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
5Keira Knightley and Carrie Coon and Chris Cooper carry the top of the cast.
6Marketing tagline: "Inspired by a true story".
7IMDB entry: tt2560078 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
8Classified under 14 themes, including "journalist", "boston, massachusetts", "journalism", "based on true story".

The technical file

Cinematography: Ben Kutchins
Original score: Paul Leonard-Morgan
Editing: Anne McCabe
Production design: John P. Goldsmith
Costume design: Arjun Bhasin
Makeup / hair: Julie LeShane
VFX supervisor: Brian Drewes
Sound: Robert Fernandez
Runtime: 113 min · 1h 53m
Aspect ratio (typical): 1.37:1 (Academy)
Status: Released
Original language: EN
Certification (US): R
IMDB: Boston Strangler (2023)

Also by

Matt Ruskin

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Community reviews

What people are saying

spidertalk2023-03-24
★ 3/10
Something's missing and that is entertainment lacking. Fans of the genre won't notice it much but someone who loves fast-paced crime will. I did.
CinemaSerf2023-04-01
★ 6/10
This isn't so much a story about the notorious murderer, but more one of two investigative journalists who meticulously followed the case and tried to establish the truth behind these gruesome crimes. Loretta McLaughlin (Keira Knightley) was largely responsible for taking the initiative to her editor (Chris Cooper) but that published, convincing, analysis drew considerable disdain from the police and she was swiftly booted off the story. Undeterred, she persisted and ultimately with the more experienced Jean Cole (Carrie Coon) is reinstated and allowed to develop her theory that - well, maybe there isn't just one strangler! To be fair, I am not particularly well versed in the history of this, but I did find this a very dry and procedural drama that reminded me a little of "Official Secrets" (2019). Again, this saw Knightley in a smilier sort of role, and again delivering it very much as if it were straight off the page. There is little evidence of passion here. The tenacity and perseverance of these two women - at times putting the safety of themselves and their families on the line - isn't really captured here. It's wordy, at times a little too earnest and though it looks good it's just all a bit sterile. This is a fascinating story that looks at serial killings, copycat killings and strong investigative journalism all in the face of a rather linear (and sexist) approach taken by the authorities. It ought to be scintillating and intriguing - but this is certainly not.