Anna Kendrick Makes Directorial Debut With New Film Woman of the Hour
A new trailer just dropped for Woman of the Hour, a directorial debut film by Anna Kendrick based on chilling real events.
It showcases the true story of serial killer and sex offender Rodney Alcala. The new film by the Pitch Perfect star follows Cheryl Bradshaw (Kendrick), an aspiring actress who appears on a 70’s game series titled The Dating Game. Three contestants compete for a date with Bradshaw during the episode, but one of them is not as he seems.
The trailer quickly flashes to scenes of grisly crimes committed by Alcala (Daniel Zovatto). The themes of the upcoming film seem to center on the mistreatment of women in the shown business and at the hands of men whom the rest of the world trusts.
What a cool move for Anna Kendrick’s directorial debut! This looks great.
— just adam (@apat10) August 9, 2024
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Alcala, also known as “The Dating Game Killer,” competed as a contestant on a 1978 episode of The Dating Game. Though Alcala won a date with the real-life Bradshaw, she reportedly refused the date after the episode’s taping due to Alcala creeping her out. A year after Alcala’s appearance on The Dating Game, he was convicted of murdering eight women, though further investigations revealed that the number of killings may have been closer to 130.
Although the film does not yet have a release date, critics have already begun to rave about Woman of the Hour, which has received a score of 90% on Rotten Tomatoes. Sarah Marrs of Lainey Gossip describes the new film as “a tight, taut thriller that makes a wretched point with style and just enough humor to leaven the dark story of Rodney Alcala, and the everyday danger of being a woman in the world.”
According to Vox’s Alissa Wilkinson, “’Woman of the Hour’ smartly weaves into the narrative the many ways in which women are conditioned to put up with men.”
As Aaron White of the Feelin’ Film Podcast states, “Anna Kendrick brings her signature charm and wit in front of the camera, and shows incredible command behind it in this tense, funny, and scathingly direct look at the dangers and objectification women face.”
Still trying to catch my breath after #WomanOfTheHour. A staggeringly impressive directorial debut from Anna Kendrick.
— Perri Nemiroff (@PNemiroff) September 8, 2023
Assured work that's brimming with style — seamlessly weaving together time jumps, a number of key characters, and tonal shifts. Kendrick doesn't skip a beat… pic.twitter.com/4Mnee6036w
The release date of Anna Kendrick’s Woman of the Hour is still to be determined. Until then, readers can check out the trailer below.
