As Halloween creeps closer, audiences everywhere are on the hunt for a refreshing yet horrifying movie to fulfill their seasonal appetite. Fortunately for them, Netflix has just added a new thriller to its catalog. Woman of the Hour, directed by and starring Anna Kendrick in her directorial debut, premiered on Netflix on October 18. It is based on the true story of Rodney Alcala, a notorious serial killer who appeared on a popular dating show, The Dating Game, in the 1970s while he had already murdered five women. Kendrick plays Cheryl Bradshaw, a contestant Alcala wins a date with.
Diving deep into Alcala’s sinister actions and the consequences that follow, Woman of the Hour debuted on Netflix to widespread critical acclaim. It currently holds an impressive Rotten Tomatoes score of 94%, with a consensus that reads:
“Deftly directed by star Anna Kendrick,
Woman of the Hour
uses an incredible true story as the foundation for a powerful examination of the intersection between systemic misogyny and violence.”
This high rating and glowing reception will bode well for the movie’s continued success and viewership in the following weeks, and it will surely attract many Netflix subscribers. It’s also a major win for Anna Kendrick because it solidifies her place as a force to be reckoned with both in front of and behind the camera.
Critics Cannot Stop Raving About Anna Kendrick
Anna Kendrick has long been celebrated for her free-spirited, lively, and outgoing personality on screen. She has seamlessly transitioned from comedic roles to more serious roles, which showcases her versatility and courage. Known for her work in the Pitch Perfect movies, Up in the Air, and A Simple Favor, she literally stunned fans with this Netflix movie. When news of her directorial debut arrived, many expected it to be a lighthearted rom-com far removed from the true crime genre. But to everyone’s surprise, Kendrick chose a trippy and unsettling thriller for her first foray behind the camera.
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Her decision paid off remarkably because critics simply cannot stop raving about her captivating performances as well as her electrifying direction. The reviews praise her for the nuance and tension she builds throughout the film, up until that harrowing and unsettling conclusion. Marya E. Gates, for RogerEbert.com hails the visual language and the societal critique of the film, but makes particular note of Kendrick’s performance and direction. “She builds tension in these scenes through a soundtrack of ambient noises… Before the violence becomes scintillating or exploitative, she abruptly cuts away, making sure the viewer is aware of their own voyeurism, which she has the power to deny.”
Woman of the Hour is, thus, a haunting but refreshing take on a true-crime story and its eerie after effects on society. The movie premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2023 and has already secured the Directors to Watch for Anna Kendrick at the Palm Springs International Film Festival. Clearly, it proves that Anna Kendrick is more than just a bankable leading lady; she’s also a meticulous, empathetic, and talented filmmaker.
Anna Kendrick stars in her directorial debut, Woman of the Hour – the stranger-than-fiction story of an aspiring actress in 1970s Los Angeles and a serial killer in the midst of a yearslong murder spree, whose lives intersect when they’re cast on an episode of The Dating Game.
- Release Date
- September 26, 2023
- Cast
- Anna Kendrick , Daniel Zovatto , Autumn Best , Andy Thompson , David Beairsto , Tighe Gill , Bonnie Hay , Thomas Strumpski , Nicolette Robinson , Kathryn Gallagher , Kelley Jakle , Tony Hale