Boston Strangler

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1:53

Boston Strangler

R

2023

1h 52m

Crime

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

67%

Tomatometer

141 Reviews

68%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

Loretta McLaughlin becomes the first journalist to connect the Boston Strangler murders. As the mysterious killer claims more and more victims, Loretta attempts to continue her investigation alongside colleague and confidante Jean Cole.

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Critics Consensus

Boston Strangler is nowhere near as gripping as it should be, but the worthy story and strong cast are often adequate compensation.

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Craig Mathieson

The Age (Australia)

An excellent pairing of Keira Knightley and Carrie Coon.

Mar 30, 2023

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Ty Burr

Ty Burr's Watch List (Substack)

The movie’s “Zodiac” running on fewer cylinders, with many pointed things to say about the difficulties faced by working women in the early 1960s but a lugubrious narrative structure that sprawls and wanders and eventually sputters out.

Rated: 2/4

Mar 24, 2023

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Randy Myers

San Jose Mercury News

The matchup of Keira Knightly and Carrie Coon punches up this involving, period-rich but somewhat ordinary thriller that celebrates old-school journalism.

Rated: 3/4

Mar 22, 2023

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Patrick Beatty

ABC4 Utah

You may be better off checking out some documentaries about the Boston Strangler.

Jul 21, 2025

Full Review

Tom Spoors

Loud and Clear Reviews

In the hands of a different, more confident director, Boston Strangler could have been fantastic. As it is, it just feels like Zodiac-lite, with very little to make it memorable despite a compelling mystery at its core.

Rated: 3/5

Jan 7, 2025

Full Review

Jorge Ignacio Castillo

The Canadian Crew

Because real life events don’t unfold in three acts, the film feels repetitive and at times aimless.

Rated: 2/5

Jun 13, 2024

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Tim M

A by-the-numbers crime thriller, Boston Strangler does a respectable job of steeping the viewer in one of America's most notorious serial killings.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/04/25

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Leah K

This movie was excellent. Great acting, intriguing true crime story, smart dialogue. I am shocked that the reviews aren't higher!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/14/25

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Alex H

Good perfomance from Keira Knightly. Directing and story is mildly suspenseful. It was decent, nothing to rave over or breaking new ground.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/16/25

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Alec B

Boston Strangler offers an intriguing retelling of the notorious murders that shook 1960s Boston, with compelling performances from Keira Knightley and Carrie Coon. While it could have been more suspenseful and tense, it did capture the tension and societal constraints of the era, focusing on two female journalists who broke the story in a male-dominated press era. The pacing does build some suspense, though it lingers too long on procedural details, detracting from the possibility of excitement.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

12/17/24

Full Review

Fabrícia F

Uma história devidamente bem contada, dirigida e encenada por um elenco competente e bem estruturado. Uma detetive obstinada (Keira Knightley) pela verdade, se arrisca em busca do culpado pelas mortes sangrentas no condado de Boston. Um thriller de suspense atraente e objetivo.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/05/24

Full Review

matthias s

*Boston Strangler* is a decent but flawed crime drama that delves into the chilling real-life case of the Boston Strangler. The film boasts a stellar performance from Carrie Coon, who brings depth and nuance to her role. Keira Knightley, as always, delivers a solid performance, though her character's development feels somewhat underwhelming. The pacing is notably slow, which may test the patience of viewers expecting a more thrilling ride. While the film is engaging, it lacks the depth needed to fully explore the complexities of the case. It’s a worthwhile watch for fans of true-crime dramas, but it ultimately falls short of its potential.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

09/18/24

Full Review

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Matt Ruskin

Director

Keira Knightley

Loretta McLaughlin

Carrie Coon

Jean Cole

Alessandro Nivola

Detective Conley

Chris Cooper

Jack Maclaine

David Dastmalchian

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Boston Strangler: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Loretta McLaughlin becomes the first journalist to connect the Boston Strangler murders. As the mysterious killer claims more and more victims, Loretta attempts to continue her investigation alongside colleague and confidante Jean Cole.

Director: Matt Ruskin
Producer: Tom Ackerley, Josey McNamara, Michael A. Pruss, Ridley Scott, Kevin J. Walsh
Screenwriter: Matt Ruskin
Distributor: Hulu
Production Co: Langley Park Productions, Scott Free Productions, 20th Century Studios, LuckyChap Entertainment
Rating: R (Some Violent Content|Language)
Genre: Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 17, 2023
Runtime: 1h 52m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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