Logo What's After the Movie
During the early 1960s in Boston, a series of brutal murders grips the city in fear. Loretta McLaughlin, an ambitious and pioneering journalist, relentlessly investigates the crimes, challenging sexism and risking her safety in the process. Partnered with her colleague Jean Cole, she bravely confronts the killer's escalating acts of violence, determined to uncover the truth and bring justice to the victims, even as they place themselves in increasing danger.

During the early 1960s in Boston, a series of brutal murders grips the city in fear. Loretta McLaughlin, an ambitious and pioneering journalist, relentlessly investigates the crimes, challenging sexism and risking her safety in the process. Partnered with her colleague Jean Cole, she bravely confronts the killer's escalating acts of violence, determined to uncover the truth and bring justice to the victims, even as they place themselves in increasing danger.

Does Boston Strangler have end credit scenes?

No!

Boston Strangler does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.

Meet the Full Cast and Actors of Boston Strangler

Explore the complete cast of Boston Strangler, including both lead and supporting actors. Learn who plays each character, discover their past roles and achievements, and find out what makes this ensemble cast stand out in the world of film and television.


Ratings and Reviews for Boston Strangler

See how Boston Strangler is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where Boston Strangler stands among top-rated movies in its genre.


Metacritic

58

Metascore

5.8

User Score

Rotten Tomatoes
review

67%

TOMATOMETER

review

68%

User Score

IMDb

6.5 /10

IMDb Rating

TMDB

67

%

User Score

Letterboxd

3.1

From 19 fan ratings

Movie Insider

4.00/5

From 4 fan ratings

Take the Ultimate Boston Strangler Movie Quiz

Challenge your knowledge of Boston Strangler with this fun and interactive movie quiz. Test yourself on key plot points, iconic characters, hidden details, and memorable moments to see how well you really know the film.


Boston Strangler Quiz: Test your knowledge about the chilling Boston Strangler case!

What year did Loretta McLaughlin begin investigating the string of strangulation murders?

Full Plot Summary and Ending Explained for Boston Strangler

See more

Read the complete plot summary of Boston Strangler, including all major events, twists, and the full ending explained in detail. Explore key characters, themes, hidden meanings, and everything you need to understand the story from beginning to end.


In 1962, investigative reporter Loretta McLaughlin of the Boston Record American embarks on a harrowing journey after uncovering the chilling cases of three older women who were brutally raped and murdered by strangulation in the Boston area. Each victim bore the same haunting signature—stockings tied around their necks in precise bows—suggesting the potential presence of a serial killer lurking in the shadows. The shocking nature of her findings ruffles feathers among Boston law enforcement and her own superiors, who are determined to suppress the story to safeguard the paper’s reputation.

When a fourth victim emerges, Loretta teams up with fellow journalist Jean Cole, as they face rampant sexism in a male-dominated newsroom and society. The strain on Loretta’s personal life escalates as her long hours take a toll on her marriage, and her family becomes the target of harassment. Amidst these challenges, Loretta coins the infamous moniker “the Boston Strangler” while documenting their findings.

By the following year, tragedy strikes again as a seventh victim, Sophie Clark, is discovered. A neighbor describes a man who could potentially be the murderer, yet this new victim deviates from the established pattern, being considerably younger than the previous ones. As the investigation unfolds, Loretta and Jean realize that the Boston Police Department is mishandling the case, failing to share crucial information with surrounding jurisdictions. They uncover similar murders, including one linked to a man named Paul Dempsey in New York City, that had gone unnoticed.

The plot thickens when Albert DeSalvo, a suspect in this heinous series of murders, is apprehended. A witness is brought in to identify him, but she mistakenly chooses another man, George Nassar. Regardless of this discrepancy, DeSalvo eventually confesses to all 13 murders in 1964. However, due to a lack of physical evidence, he is convicted solely for previous robbery and sexual offenses, receiving a life sentence.

Fast forward to 1965, Loretta discovers through a detective in Ann Arbor, Michigan, that there are six murders there that match the Strangler’s methodology. Traveling to Ann Arbor, she investigates and finds that a prime suspect is Daniel Marsh, an ex-boyfriend of one of the Strangler’s victims. Despite being apprehended, Marsh remains uncooperative. In a twist of fate, DeSalvo reaches out to Loretta in 1973, offering to share his version of the events during visiting hours. Tragically, before their meeting can take place, he is fatally stabbed by another inmate.

With the revelation of an anonymous tip, Loretta connects with Harrison, a former patient at Bridgewater State Hospital, who reveals that DeSalvo, Marsh, and Nassar were all housed in the same ward at one point. He alleges that DeSalvo’s confession was orchestrated by Marsh and Nassar. In a subsequent prison visit, Nassar denies having coached DeSalvo but admits to hoping for the reward money, throwing doubt on the singular narrative of the Strangler and hinting that multiple killers may exist.

As Loretta and Jean dig deeper, they formulate a compelling theory positing that Paul Dempsey was responsible for the initial six murders before relocating to New York, leading to subsequent copycat killings that targeted much younger victims. The media frenzy surrounding DeSalvo’s confessions raised questions about the integrity of the investigative process. Ultimately, Nassar facilitated DeSalvo’s representation by high-profile attorney F. Lee Bailey, manipulating the situation to secure a monetary gain and a supposed lucrative book deal for DeSalvo.

The Record American ultimately publishes Loretta and Jean’s investigative theory, which contributes to a wider discussion about journalism’s role in criminal investigations. In the closing epilogue, Loretta rises to prominence as an award-winning medical reporter at The Boston Globe, while Jean enjoys a flourishing career as a reporter for three decades, maintaining a close friendship with Loretta. In a poignant note, Marsh never faces charges for murder, and Nassar misses out on rewards, remaining incorrectly assumed to linger in prison even as of 2023. The saga reveals that by 2013, DNA evidence linked DeSalvo to the 13th murder, but not to the other twelve, leaving lingering questions about the true identity of the Boston Strangler.

Uncover the Details: Timeline, Characters, Themes, and Beyond!

Watch Trailers, Clips & Behind-the-Scenes for Boston Strangler

See more

Watch official trailers, exclusive clips, cast interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage from Boston Strangler. Dive deeper into the making of the film, its standout moments, and key production insights.


Official Trailer

Official Trailer

I Think I Found Something

Victim

Cars Featured in Boston Strangler

See 29 more

Explore all cars featured in Boston Strangler, including their makes, models, scenes they appear in, and their significance to the plot. A must-read for car enthusiasts and movie buffs alike.


Buick

1962

LeSabre

Buick

1963

Riviera

Cadillac

1964

Coupe DeVille

Chevrolet

1964

C-Series

Chevrolet

1961

Corvair Lakewood

Chrysler

1964

New Yorker

Dodge

1957

Custom Royal

Edsel

1958

Corsair

Ford

1959

Custom 300

Ford

1962

Fairlane 500

Movie Themes and Keywords

Discover the central themes, ideas, and keywords that define the movie’s story, tone, and message. Analyze the film’s deeper meanings, genre influences, and recurring concepts.


serial killerdetectivemurderboston massachusetts1960smurdererdeathreportsecretyear 1964victimlifepoliceapartmentpolice officerjournalistcriminalrapistinvestigationdoorattackperpetratorstranglertrue crimecity name in titletelephonereporterdocudrama dramafemale murder victimsexual murderfemale reporterhomicide investigationsexual crimenewspaper articleworking womanserial killer of womenviolent crimefemale writerfemale journalistfemale newspaper reporterboston stranglerfemicideserial killer crimebased on true storycity in titlefemale protagonist

Similar Movies You Should Know About

Browse a curated list of movies similar in genre, tone, characters, or story structure. Discover new titles like the one you're watching, perfect for fans of related plots, vibes, or cinematic styles.


© 2025 What's After the Movie. All rights reserved.