Anna Kendrick Donates Entire Profit From Her Directorial Debut
Anna Kendrick announced that she will donate all of the profits from Woman of the Hour to charities supporting violence victims. Although her directorial debut on Netflix succeeded, she clarified that she would not feel comfortable using it to make a profit.
The Pitch Perfect actress revealed that she donated all the profits from the film to two charities supporting victims of violence: RAINN (R**e, Abuse & In***t National Network) and the National Center for Victims of Crime. She announced her decision on the Crime Junkie AF podcast that she never considered the financial implications of the film until it after it was accepted into the Toronto International Film Festival.
“It wasn’t until we were just about to premiere that I realized the movie was going to make money,” Kendrick admitted, “At that point, I asked myself, ‘Do you feel gross about this?’ And I did.” This decision has made fans support the newfound film director more than ever.
y’all I loved Woman of the Hour. terrifying but also deeply compassionate about women’s experiences. apparently Anna Kendrick donated all the money she made to orgs that help crime victims. need her to direct a million more things.
— Brit (@mothmandalorian) November 2, 2024
Woman of the Hour, which debuted in October, focuses on Rodney Alcalá, an American serial killer who famously appeared on a dating series in 1978. Alcalá, convicted of killing five women in the 70s and sentenced to death, is portrayed by Daniel Zovatto.
Kendrick starred and directed the film, depicting the fictionalized character of Sheryl Brawdshaw, based on real-life contestant Cheryl Brawdshaw. Sheryl is an aspiring actress living in the heart of Los Angeles. After feeling like her acting career has stalled, she unexpectedly gets a chance to appear on The Dating Game. As the third contestant, serial killer Rodney wins a date with her. The two go out for drinks, but things quickly turn when Alcalá’s mood becomes increasingly threatening. The actress’s performance earned recognition for its intensity and convincing nature.
The woman of the hour was one of the best movies I’ve seen all year, so unsettling and such an accurate portrayal of what women have to fear on a daily basis….Anna Kendrick killed it as a director
— sarah ♡ (taylor’s version) ✨ (@sarah_8123) October 29, 2024
The Academy Award nominee explained that, given the disturbing and delicate nature of the subject matter, she felt uncomfortable profiting from real-life trauma. She wanted to support RAINN, a nonprofit organization that offers 24/7 support to survivors of sexual assault, and the National Center for Victims of Crime as they provide resources for crime victims.
RAINN’s president, Scott Berkowitz, expressed gratitude for her donation, calling it a “compassionate” act that would help support survivors through services like the National Sexual Assault Hotline in a statement to Missing Perspectives.
The Twilight star’s decision touches on the ethical questions raised by the true crime genre, which has seen a surge in popularity in recent years. In the last decade, true crime podcasts, YouTubers, and Tiktokers have become a sensation many would deem unethical and an obsession for others. There has been a dilemma for nature regarding the implications of a public figure or influencer profiting off the tragedy of others while serving it as entertainment for the viewers. While it is true that speaking on these cases can bring awareness to real issues, it also risks exploiting victims’ pain. However, Kendrick clarified that her priority was always to raise awareness about violence, not profit from it.
Woman of the Hour is now streaming on Netflix.
Writer | Follow me @alondratolentno
