Boston Strangler Film Review: A Missed Opportunity in True Crime Drama
The Hulu film, Boston Strangler, attempts to unravel the complexities surrounding the infamous series of murders that gripped Boston in the early 1960s. Unfortunately, the film ultimately falls short of delivering a truly compelling or insightful narrative, settling instead for a somewhat predictable and ultimately unsatisfying true crime drama. While Keira Knightley delivers a solid performance as Loretta McLaughlin, the reporter who doggedly pursued the story, the movie suffers from a lack of depth and a reliance on familiar tropes of the genre. The absence of truly innovative storytelling makes the Boston Strangler film feel like a missed opportunity to explore the psychological and social factors that contributed to the case.
A Compelling Premise, Undercooked Execution
The core premise of the film – focusing on the female reporters who broke the story, rather than the killer himself – held considerable promise. However, this potentially fresh perspective is often overshadowed by the standard procedural elements of the investigation. We see McLaughlin facing sexism and skepticism as she tries to uncover the truth, but these scenes often feel perfunctory rather than deeply felt. The film never truly delves into the challenges and dangers faced by women journalists in that era, nor does it fully explore the impact of the murders on the women of Boston who lived in fear.
Missed Opportunities for Psychological Depth
The Boston Strangler film avoids taking significant risks in exploring the potential motivations of the killer or the psychological impact of the crimes on the investigators. The film hints at the psychological toll on McLaughlin, but it never fully commits to exploring her inner demons or the personal sacrifices she makes in pursuit of the story. The lack of deeper character exploration ultimately leaves the audience feeling detached from the narrative.
Comparisons to Other True Crime Dramas
Compared to other recent true crime dramas, Boston Strangler struggles to stand out. While it benefits from a strong cast and competent direction, it lacks the innovative storytelling, compelling characters, and psychological depth that define the best examples of the genre. Consider the following comparison:
| Feature | Boston Strangler (2023) | Mindhunter (Netflix) |
|---|---|---|
| Psychological Depth | Limited | Extensive |
| Character Development | Adequate | Exceptional |
| Storytelling Innovation | Conventional | Innovative |
| Overall Impact | Forgettable | Memorable |
Final Verdict
Ultimately, the Boston Strangler is a watchable but ultimately forgettable entry into the true crime genre. While the performances are adequate and the subject matter inherently compelling, the film fails to deliver the depth, innovation, and psychological complexity necessary to truly resonate with audiences. The film is not bad, but you will struggle to really remember anything about it a few months from now. The Boston Strangler film is a middling true crime drama.
Perhaps the greatest disappointment lies not in what the film is, but in what it could have been. Imagine a Boston Strangler that embraced the unsettling ambiguity of the case, a film that dared to suggest the possibility of multiple perpetrators, or even a conspiracy that stretched far beyond the confines of the police investigation. Instead, we are presented with a relatively straightforward, albeit dramatized, account of the known facts, leaving little room for speculation or deeper contemplation.
Beyond the Headlines: A Symphony of Fear
The film touches upon the pervasive fear that gripped Boston during the strangler’s reign of terror, but it never truly immerses the audience in the psychological landscape of the city. We see glimpses of women locking their doors, buying extra bolts, and living in a constant state of anxiety, but these moments feel like fleeting snapshots rather than integral parts of the narrative. A more effective approach might have been to explore the ripple effect of the murders on the community, showcasing how the fear permeated every aspect of daily life, transforming ordinary routines into acts of quiet desperation.
The Unheard Voices: Giving Agency to the Victims
One of the most glaring missed opportunities is the film’s failure to give voice to the victims, even in a metaphorical sense; We learn their names and see glimpses of their lives, but they remain largely anonymous figures, defined solely by their tragic deaths. A truly groundbreaking film might have dared to imagine their inner lives, their hopes, their dreams, and their fears, transforming them from mere statistics into fully realized human beings. Perhaps, through flashbacks or dream sequences, the film could have offered a glimpse into their final moments, not to sensationalize their deaths, but to honor their memory and remind us of the profound loss that each murder represented.
Alternatives to the Ordinary: A Dive into the Absurd
What if the film had taken a surreal turn, embracing the inherent strangeness of the case? Imagine a Boston Strangler that incorporated elements of magical realism, blurring the lines between reality and hallucination, reflecting the distorted perceptions of a city living in fear. Perhaps the killer could have been portrayed as a shapeshifting entity, a manifestation of the city’s collective anxieties, a creature born from the shadows of the collective unconscious. This bold approach would have undoubtedly alienated some viewers, but it also could have elevated the film to a truly unique and unforgettable cinematic experience.
- Imagine: The killer’s motives were never truly revealed, leaving the audience to grapple with the unsettling possibility that some acts of violence are simply inexplicable.
- Consider: The film ended with a lingering shot of the city skyline, suggesting that the darkness that spawned the Boston Strangler still lurks beneath the surface, waiting to be awakened.
The Echoes of Unsolved Mysteries
Boston Strangler, despite its flaws, serves as a reminder of the enduring fascination with true crime and the importance of remembering the victims of violence. While this adaptation might fade from memory, the story itself, with all its complexities and unanswered questions, will continue to haunt the collective imagination. The echoes of the unsolved mysteries surrounding the Boston Strangler will undoubtedly inspire future filmmakers and storytellers to explore the dark corners of the human psyche and the enduring power of fear.
