Boston Strangler: This brilliant thriller, adapted from a true story, can be seen on Disney+

What are you doing?

Loretta McLaughlin, a reporter for the Daily Record-American, tries to determine the connection that may exist between the brutal murders of women in their homes in the Boston area over a period of almost a year. Even as the mysterious killer claims more and more victims – to the point of inducing true psychosis in Boston – Loretta tries to continue the investigation with her colleague and confidant Jean Cole. In an absolute quest for truth, the duo confronts the sexism of the day and other infinitely more dangerous threats.

Boston Drowning written and directed by Matt Raskin.

Is it worth checking out?

In 1968, Richard Fleischer staged Boston Strangler, one of the most famous adaptations of this novel set in the early sixties. The film focuses on the point of view of Albert DeSalvo, the main suspect and accused, played on screen by Tony Curtis. Fifty-five years later, screenwriter and director Matt Ruskin takes his turn on the new story, but from a completely different angle.

This version follows those who began a journalistic investigation and are interested in the victims – who, it should be remembered, were only women. The feature highlights the work of Loretta McLaughlin and Gene Cole, played by Keira Knightley and Carrie Coon, who covered the story. American record.

Under this new prism, much more relevant to our time, the Boston Strangler case takes on a whole new dimension and reveals new contours. Fascinating, the film goes beyond the crime narrative and provides for the first time an overview of life in the newsrooms of the sixties. A time when female journalists, who were few in number, were not allowed to write on any topic other than the “art of living”.

Loretta McLaughlin wants to write a new toaster, but her ambitions lie elsewhere. Persuasive and persistent, she ends up taking the case, but her involvement and her articles lead to her threats. It was his meeting with Jean Cole that allowed him to continue his work and delve deeper into the subject.

The Boston Strangler is also interested in the unknown specifics of this case, in which men took advantage of the murders and killed their wives or mistresses themselves. By taking inspiration from the methods of the serial killer, they could deny responsibility to the perpetrator.

Before the movie, it is impossible not to think about David Fincher’s Zodiac. The comparison may be overwhelming, but Matt Raskin won’t fall into the trap of being a pale copy. His feature film is beautifully staged and has a realistic tone that keeps the audience interested until the last second.

A great thriller about the place of women in the world of journalism and a case that never ceases to surprise, Boston Strangler is a film not to be missed, brought to life by two actors whose talent is beyond doubt.

The Boston Strangler is available on Disney+.