Anna Kendrick has made her directorial debut with the gripping Netflix thriller, Woman of the Hour, released on October 18, 2024. The film quickly climbed to the top of the streaming charts, captivating audiences and critics alike with its unique blend of true crime narrative and feminist commentary.
Woman of the Hour is based on the unsettling true story of serial killer Rodney Alcala, also infamously known as the “The Dating Game Killer.” Sacrificing traditional storytelling for the raw and horrifying realities of the past, Kendrick's film retells the events surrounding Alcala's 1978 appearance on the popular game show, The Dating Game. At this time, Alcala was already on the verge of committing heinous crimes against several women.
Initially, one might expect the film to focus on Alcala's perspective—a common trap for true crime dramatizations. Instead, Kendrick shifts the narrative lens to highlight the experiences of women who were affected by Alcala's chilling presence and the broader culture of misogyny they had to navigate. Kendrick stars as Cheryl Bradshaw, the aspiring actress who unwittingly became one of Alcala's victims on the show, and she does so with remarkable nuance.
The film opens with Alcala (played by Daniel Zovatto) positioned as both charming and menacing; he engages with potential victims through his facade of friendliness. From the very start, Kendrick sets a grim tone, introducing Alcala’s dark side right from the outset—a stark, chilling juxtaposition against the cheerful backdrop of The Dating Game.
The premise revolves around Kendrick’s character participating as one of the bachelorettes, with Alcala competing for her affections alongside two other contestants. The film draws the audience’s attention to not only the danger inherent with Alcala but also the casual sexism prevalent on the show. Kendrick draws parallels between the pressures faced by women both on-screen and off, subtly delving deep with regards to how society often dismisses their concerns.
Capturing the essence of 1970s Hollywood, the film also critiques the systemic misogyny embedded within such classic entertainment. The pressures on women to conform remain palpable, with Cheryl undergoing everything from rude remarks to manipulation by producers and participants alike. At one point, the host, played by Tony Hale, suggests Cheryl should focus on laughing and smiling, prompting awkward discomfort—all the more unsettling knowing the shadows Alcala casts.
When Cheryl senses something off about Alcala after their filming, her alarm signals prompt her to reconsider their arranged date. The film’s tension escalates when she attempts to withdraw, leading to her vocalizing her discomfort to the show's producers. Sadly, her concerns are dismissed, effectively directing the audience's focus on the recurring failures to listen to women’s voices.
The core of Woman of the Hour revolves around the women whose lives were cut short by this predator and those who managed to evade his clutches. The film unearths various chilling accounts; Alcala’s real-life atrocities are coupled with the scripted dynamics on the game show, creating heightened tension with each transition.
Woman of the Hour masterfully balances moments of horror with dark humor, compelling the audience to reckon with their own mixed feelings toward true crime narratives. Kendrick's decision to juxtapose Alcala's deceptive charm with the horrors he committed invites viewers to contemplate the unsettling reality of trusting one's instincts against the backdrop of cultural conditioning.
The reviews rolling out from audiences have praised the film for its haunting tone and timely critique, with Rotten Tomatoes currently reflecting high approval ratings. Social media has erupted with commentary, with many viewers expressing how Kendrick’s storytelling shaped their perceptions of the long-neglected dangers women often ignore.
One viewer declared the film was "an incredibly important film" needing more visibility due to the outrageousness of Alcala's killings. Another chimed in with accolades for Kendrick's direction, remarking how the film held echoes of David Fincher’s works—especially the unsettling rhythms of films like Zodiac.
The conversation around true crime avails itself to questions around representation and the importance of female agency. Woman of the Hour is exemplary as it emphasizes women’s experiences and the prevalent misogyny of their time. Instead of glorifying the darkness of its subject matter, Kendrick’s narrative forces audiences to listen, observe, and reflect.
Directed by Kendrick and written by Ian McDonald, the film’s exposition is sculpted with intentional attention to detail. By displaying the real women’s faces on-screen and deftly balancing dramatization with reality, Kendrick elevates the material beyond conventional fare.
With its 94-minute runtime, Woman of the Hour isn’t overly long, ensuring each interaction and narrative beat serves to build tension and awareness. To watch it is to engage with the both tragic and chilling accounts woven together, culminating on all-too-familiar failures to protect women from male violence and cultural indifference.
It is embodied not only as entertainment but as necessary social commentary—pointing to how even the most innocent-seeming games can serve as platforms for darker realities. Woman of the Hour firmly positions itself as one of the most compelling horror dramas to release this year, leaving no room for complacency among its viewers. The film urges audiences to reconsider how they understand the world of true crime, and most critically, the real repercussions of living within it.
Available exclusively on Netflix, Woman of the Hour serves as both Kendrick’s impactful transition to direction and as continuing significant film dialogue about the real-life tragedies being dramatized for the screen. Its confrontation with past evils—especially through the lens of female perspectives—constructs not just another true crime story, but rather catalyzes for societal change and awareness against historical and contemporary misogyny.
Woman of the Hour shatters the glamorized lens through which serial killers are often portrayed, inviting viewers to grapple with the very real human impact. For those interested, it's worth every moment, available for streaming on Netflix now.
