by Kristin Ciliberto, Contributing Writer
Writer/director Matt Ruskin’s film, Boston Strangler, is based on the true story of the titular serial killer who killed 13 women in the 1960s. Set in 1962, Loretta McLaughlin (Keira Knightley) is a lifestyle reporter for the Boston Record American who is anxious and eager to get more impactful and hard-hitting news stories. Her interests spark when she investigates the horrible and gruesome murders that involve the Boston Strangler. Loretta teams up with her colleague and veteran investigative journalist Jean Cole (Carrie Coon) — they dig deeper into the crimes to bring the killer(s) to justice while working in a male-dominated newsroom.
The Boston Strangler is one of the most infamous serial killers who targeted elderly women, or those who lived alone,and murdered as many as 15 throughout the Boston area. An adapted story like this should be gripping, given the fact that the case remains unsolved. It was also back in 1968 when Tony Curtis and Henry Fonda starred in a film that was loosely inspired by the killer, The Boston Strangler. Ruskin and Hulu shine a light on a horrendous, twisted crime, and it is a complicated watch.
This film is another rehash audiences have seen time and time again. Other investigative journalist films have done this better, such as She Said, Spotlight, Zodiac, and All The President’s Men. It surprises me that David Fincher is not a producer. It seemed that Ruskin takes inspiration from Fincher, especially, from the look and tone, yet Ruskin never makes it his own or brings anything new to the table. The film never nails the exact, uneasy tension, as it feels washed-out and lifeless, and it never gets to the core of why a film like this is interesting.
Ruskin focuses on sexism in the troubling workspace during the 1960s — the lack of a voice for women at the time is why this story matters. Loretta is a mother and a journalist, and the film explores her tensions with her husband, James (Morgan Spector). But that is as far as it goes to illustrate the struggle women had. The film never gets to be compelling the way it desperately wants to be, which amazes me given Knightley, Coon, and Conley, along with a strong supporting cast, trying their hardest. Everyone involved gives a solid performance, but none stand out or live up to their previous work. Also, the reenactments and deceptions of murder do not capture the fear or thrill that comes with such an event.
Overall, Boston Strangler is pretty much a bleak, failed attempt at a murder podcast. It is too safe, and once the credits roll I could not have cared less about anything that had happened. There is no fear for the Boston Strangler themself — it’s sluggish and not nearly as engaging as Ruskin wants it to be.
Score: 4/10
Boston Strangler is currently streaming on Hulu
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