For an upcoming feature, Hulu is venturing into the world of true crime. Boston Strangler, a retelling of the infamous killer behind a string of murders in Boston in the early 1960s, is coming soon to our screens.

Hulu’s adaptation is not the first time this real-world killer has made his way to the big screen. In 1968, Richard Fleischer released The Boston Strangler when the grisly crime spree was still fresh in people’s minds. That adaptation featured big names of the day, such as Tony Curtis, Henry Fonda, and George Kennedy. In the decades since that film and the original crimes, doubts about the true identity of the killer have surfaced, making it an excellent time to revisit the infamous tale.

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Matt Ruskin will handle writing and directing, with Tom Ackerley, Kevin J. Walsh, and even Ridley Scott attached to produce. Scott Free Productions, LuckyChap Entertainment, and 20th Century Studios will serve as co-production companies while Hulu takes care of distribution. With that, what else do we know? How true to life can we expect the plot to be? Who will star in this updated adaptation? When and where will the film be released? And what else should audiences know about Boston Strangler?

Boston Strangler: The Plot

     Hulu

Before looking at how the film will present its tale of events, let’s have a quick history lesson and revisit the actual crimes. Between 1962 and 1964, 13 women ranging in age from their 20s to 80s were strangled in their homes in the Boston area. Police assumed the women knew the assailant as there was no sign of forced entry. Albert DeSalvo was later identified as the likely killer after he confessed and was linked to the final victim via DNA decades later.

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However, doubt as to DeSalvo being the sole killer later arose. The different demographics of the victims and the use of multiple methods in the crimes cast doubt on the killer being a single person. Inconsistencies with DeSalvo’s confession and testimony about his character from family members also led to uncertainty. Since DeSalvo died in 1973, it’s unlikely we’ll ever have a clear answer on whether he was the only killer.

While the 1968 film primarily focused on the detectives investigating DeSalvo, the new adaption will show another side of the story. Per Deadline, the description reads:

It sounds like Hulu’s version will focus on the work that brought the DeSalvo to justice without glorifying the killer. McLaughlin and Cole worked to identify not only the culprit behind the murders but also warn a vulnerable population of what could be coming next. To top it all off, they had to fight as female reporters in an industry almost entirely dominated by men. Boston Strangler could be a refreshing take on the true crime genre, one where the work of reporters may have stopped more women from falling victim to the killer. More specific plot information will likely be released as production continues.

Boston Strangler: The Cast

     Universal Pictures

Hulu has attached a roster of impressive names to play the real-world figures involved in the case. Actress Keira Knightley will star in the lead role as Loretta McLaughlin, the reporter investigating the murder spree. In addition to Knightley, Ghostbusters: Afterlife actor Carrie Coon is set to appear in a leading role. It is rumored that she is playing Jean Cole, McLaughlin’s co-reporter, but that has not been confirmed.

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The cast also features Amsterdam actor Alessandro Nivola and Irresistible’s Chris Cooper. It is not yet known who they will be playing. Regarding the alleged killer Albert DeSalvo, he is rumored to be played by Dune and Oppenheimer star David Dastmalchian. While Dastmalchian is confirmed to be in the cast, as with Coon there is no confirmation yet on his exact role.

Intrusion’s Robert John Burke is attached in an unknown role, as is Morgan Spector of The Gilded Age. We can expect confirmation of the casting rumors and additional cast announcements as more details about production are revealed.

Release Date

Currently, Hulu has not set a release date for Boston Strangler. Filming took place between December 2021 and March 2022 around the suburbs of Boston. Given the typical post-production turnaround time, we can likely expect Boston Strangler to come to our screens sometime in 2023.