The story of the infamous serial-killer case known as the Boston Strangler is a chilling tale that unfolded between 1962 and 1964. During this time, 13 sexual assaults and murders occurred in the Boston area, with only one of them being officially solved. Decades later, DNA techniques proved that the chief suspect and self-confessed “Boston Strangler” was Albert DeSalvo. F. Lee Bailey, a renowned lawyer, famously represented DeSalvo and later wrote a book about the case.
Despite the many unanswered questions surrounding the case, Hollywood and others have capitalized on it to varying degrees. The 1968 film “The Boston Strangler,” produced by 20th Century Fox, starring Tony Curtis as DeSalvo and Henry Fonda as a lead detective, is perhaps the most well-known adaptation. Curtis campaigned for an Oscar for his role but was ultimately overlooked, despite receiving a Golden Globe nomination. Other works inspired by the case include the 1964 movie “The Strangler” and the 1968 book and subsequent film “No Way to Treat a Lady” by William Goldman.
However, the new Hulu film from 20th Century Studios, titled “Boston Strangler,” takes a different approach. It focuses on the two female newspaper reporters, Loretta McLaughlin (played by Keira Knightley) and Jean Cole (played by Carrie Coon), who were at the center of the story. These compassionate women were determined to uncover the truth about the brutal murders of other women, putting them ahead of the male detectives and rival reporters. The film presents a fresh perspective on the case, highlighting the relevance of their pursuit of justice.
In many ways, this film resembles “She Said,” a recent movie about the work of two female New York Times reporters investigating the Harvey Weinstein rape cases. “Boston Strangler” delves into the lives of Loretta and Jean, detailing their relentless pursuit of the truth and the impact it has on their personal lives and marriages. The film also sheds light on the shortcomings of the police, male detectives, and the media, who labeled the case as the “Boston Strangler” without considering other possibilities.
What sets this crime saga apart is the compassion and determination of Loretta and Jean. They strive to do right by the victims, even as their own paper refers to them as “girls” in a cringeworthy headline. Knightley delivers a powerful and understated performance, while Coon portrays the experienced investigative reporter forced to collaborate with Loretta. Chris Cooper shines as the grizzled editor who eventually acknowledges the emerging facts and supports the reporters.
The supporting cast, mostly male, includes Bill Camp as the sexist Police Commissioner, Rory Cochrane and James Ciccone as other detectives, and David Dastmalchian as DeSalvo and Luke Kirby as Bailey. Alessandro Nivola impresses as a weary key homicide detective who reluctantly shares crucial evidence and DeSalvo’s taped confession with Loretta. The film cleverly incorporates a scene where Loretta confronts him on a movie set, highlighting the blurred lines between reality and fiction.
“Boston Strangler” offers a fresh perspective on an age-old story, revealing aspects that were previously unknown. It is a commendable achievement that breathes new life into the case. The film is produced by Ridley Scott, Kevin J. Walsh, Micheal Pruss, Josey McNamara, and Tom Ackerley, and it will be available for streaming on Hulu starting Friday.