Woman of the Hour, directed by and starring Anna Kendrick in her directorial debut. It is a captivating psychological thriller based on true events that took place in the 1970s.
Woman of the Hour Movie Review
Woman of the Hour tells the chilling story of Rodney Alcala, a serial killer who shockingly appeared as a contestant on the popular TV game show The Dating Game. The story primarily follows inspiring actress, Cheryl Bradshaw (played by Kendrick), the witty bachelorette on the game show, who picks Alcala (played by Daniel Zovatto) as her date.
Kendrick delivers a stellar performance, capturing Cheryl’s growing discomfort with Alcala’s increasingly unsettling behavior both during and after the show. Daniel Zovatto’s portrayal of Alcala is unnerving, bringing to life the sociopathic charm that allowed him to slip under the radar for so long.
Woman of the Hour also addresses the issue of how Alcala’s crimes were handled by the police, showing the frustrating gaps in the system that allowed him to continue his spree. The film doesn’t exploit the tragedy but instead thoughtfully explores it, offering a chilling reflection on how a charming exterior can hide a monstrous reality.
The film also delves into broader societal issues, particularly the objectification and trivialization of women, both on TV and in the world at large. The 70s was a time when women were often treated as prizes to be won, and The Dating Game was no exception, with Cheryl treated more as an object of desire than a person. Kendrick, through both her direction and performance, explores how these societal attitudes allowed predators like Alcala to thrive.
Woman of the Hour is more than just a crime thriller—it’s a commentary on the dangers of public perception and how societal norms can obscure the truth. Kendrick’s debut behind the camera is a triumph, showing that she has a keen eye for both tension and thematic depth. It’s a haunting reminder of how easily people can be deceived by outward appearances, and how intuition and inner strength can sometimes be the only things standing between life and death.
Woman of the Hour is now streaming on Netflix. It has an MPA rating of R for language violent content, some drug use, and a sexual reference. It has a runtime of 1 hour 35 minutes.