Is Boston Strangler Based on a True Story? Review and More
by Ushapriyanga | Updated Apr 11, 2023
Boston Strangler Wiki
The film "Boston Strangler," directed and written by Matt Ruskin, is a 2023 American historical crime drama that is based on the true story of a notorious serial killer who murdered 13 women in 1960s Boston. The movie features a talented cast, including Keira Knightley in the role of Loretta McLaughlin, the reporter who first reported on the killings for the Boston Record American. Other actors in the film include Carrie Coon, Alessandro Nivola, Chris Cooper, David Dastmalchian, and Morgan Spector. "Boston Strangler" was released on March 17, 2023, by Hulu in the United States.
Is Boston Strangler Based on a True Story?
The crime drama "Boston Strangler," which was released this month, is expected to be a must-see film of the season, featuring a star-studded cast that does justice to the gripping true story it portrays. Ridley Scott directs the movie, with Keira Knightley playing the lead role of Loretta McLaughlin, a journalist who, along with Jean Cole (played by Carrie Coon of "Fargo"), breaks the story of a serial killer in 1960s Boston. McLaughlin and Cole are remembered for their courageous pursuit of the story, challenging the sexism of the era and risking their personal safety. Their investigation uncovered a network of corruption that raised doubts about the killer's true identity. In this article, we provide a breakdown of everything you need to know about the film and the shocking true events that inspired it.
Boston Strangler Movie Review
In Matt Ruskin's "Boston Strangler," Keira Knightley delivers a powerful performance as Loretta McLaughlin, a mother and wife who works for the Lifestyle section at the Record-American newspaper. Along with her colleague Jean Cole (played by Carrie Coon), Loretta uncovers a link between several gruesome murders in the area, where women are strangled with their underwear tied in a bow. As the first to report on the connection, Loretta and Jean understand the significance of their discovery for women in the Boston area.
Ruskin's approach to the story is reminiscent of newspaper noir, reminiscent of David Fincher's "Zodiac." While the film does not fully capture the edginess of Fincher's work, it does offer compelling examples of journalistic courage and competence. As the murders continue, "Boston Strangler" also becomes a movie about women in a predominantly male space investigating crimes against women. However, despite one tense scene in which Loretta faces potential danger, the film does not sustain a sense of immediate peril.
As the events in the film unfold, "Boston Strangler" loses its emotional resonance, despite the story's game-changing impact on Boston journalism. Knightley's performance is powerful, but the film struggles to create a compelling arc for her character's dedication to the case, which lasted for years and affected her personal life. While Ruskin succeeds in paying tribute to the hard work of Loretta McLaughlin and Jean Cole, "Boston Strangler" falls short of fully developing the larger story.
How was The Boston Strangler Caught?
In October 1964, a victim of the "Green Man" came forward to the police, claiming that a man who pretended to be a detective had entered her home and sexually assaulted her. Based on the victim's description of the perpetrator, the police were able to identify the man as Albert DeSalvo. After DeSalvo's photo was published in newspapers, several women came forward to identify him as their attacker, leading to his arrest on a rape charge. He was then sent to Bridgewater State Hospital for psychiatric evaluation, where he met George Nassar, a convicted murderer. It is believed that DeSalvo and Nassar made a deal to split the reward money if either of them confessed to being the Boston Strangler. DeSalvo eventually confessed to his lawyer, F. Lee Bailey, that he was indeed the Strangler. Bailey was convinced of DeSalvo's guilt based on his accurate descriptions of the murders, including details of the victims' apartments and clothing. After hours of interrogation, during which DeSalvo described the murders in detail, the police were convinced that they had caught the real killer.
Boston Strangler Who is He?
Albert DeSalvo
Albert Henry DeSalvo, born on September 3, 1931, was an American rapist and suspected serial killer in Boston who allegedly confessed to being the "Boston Strangler," the perpetrator of thirteen women's murders in the Boston area from 1962 to 1964. In 1967, DeSalvo was sentenced to life imprisonment for a series of rapes. However, there has been controversy regarding his confession, and it remains unclear which crimes he actually committed.
In July 2013, DNA evidence obtained from DeSalvo's nephew was matched with seminal fluid found at the rape and murder of Mary Sullivan. The match excluded 99.9% of the remaining population, thus linking DeSalvo to the murder of Sullivan. DeSalvo's remains were exhumed later that month, and the DNA match was confirmed by authorities.
Is Boston Strangler Based on a True Story - FAQs
The Boston Strangler was a serial killer who is believed to have murdered thirteen women in the Boston area from 1962 to 1964.
Yes, a man named Albert DeSalvo was widely believed to be the Boston Strangler after he confessed to the murders. However, his confession has been disputed and some people still question whether he was truly the killer.
DeSalvo was identified as a suspect after a young woman who was a victim of the "Green Man" sexual assaults in Boston in 1964 gave a description of the man who attacked her. This description led police to identify DeSalvo as a possible suspect.
DeSalvo confessed to his attorney, F. Lee Bailey, that he was the Boston Strangler. Bailey believed DeSalvo's confession after DeSalvo was able to accurately describe the murders and the victims' apartments.
In 2013, DNA evidence was matched between seminal fluid found at the murder of Mary Sullivan and DNA obtained from DeSalvo's nephew, which linked DeSalvo to the murder of Sullivan. However, some people still question whether DeSalvo was truly responsible for all of the Boston Strangler murders.