Summary
Anna Kendrick has had an exciting career that started with a small role in 2008’sTwilight. She has starred in smart films like50/50andUp in the Air, comedies likePitch PerfectandDrinking Buddies, and in 2022, took on the role of a woman in an emotionally abusive relationship inAlice, Darling.Kendrick made her directional debut in 2023 withWoman of the Hour, which will premiere onNetflixsoon.
Many movies are releasing on Netflix in the next few months, fromthe time travel horror movieTime CuttoWoman of the Hour. SinceWoman of the Houris based on a true story, audiences will want to know all about it before checking out this fascinating and gripping movie.
What Is Woman Of The Hour About?
Netflix’sThe Woman of the Hourisbased on the infamous case of a serial killer appearing on the reality seriesThe Dating Game.Anna Kendrick plays a character namedCheryl Bradshaw, who dreams of becoming an actressand who wins the chance to go out with Rodney Alcala (Daniel Zovatto), who has killed five women. The movie joins the long list oftrue crime projects on Netflix. Rounding out the cast are Kathryn Gallagher, Tony Hale, Nicolette Robinson, and Taylor Hastings. Ian McDonald wrote the movie and Kendrick directed it.
TheWoman of the Hourtrailer shows Cheryl going to auditions with no luck. When she explains that she can’t pay her rent, she gets cast on a TV show:The Dating Game. The trailer contrasts scenes of Cheryl bonding with Rodney on the show and becoming more interested with him with scenes of Rodney taking photos of his soon-to-be victims outside in some fields. A makeup artist tells Cheryl that no matter who appears onThe Dating Game,“the question remains the same: which one of you will hurt me?“It’s a smart question that suggests the horror underneath Rodney’s good-looking facade.
Woman of the Houris a captivating movie based on a true story and, from the trailer, it looks like the shocking truth about Rodney will be revealed in a memorable way. Since the movie is a dramatic, fictional take on real events, unlike documentaries likeNetflix’sJailbreak: On The Run, that allowed the filmmakers to present a character study. Viewers will get to know this version of Cheryl and Rodney while also being aware of the horrifying and tragic real-life events.
The True Story Behind Woman Of The Hour
While Netflix has become known for dating reality series likeLove is Blindandthe addictive seriesPerfect Match, there was another dating show back in the day that captivated viewers.The Dating Gamepremiered in 1965and, according toPeople,Rodney Alcala was cast in 1978. By the time he was cast, he had killed two women, but he snuck onto the show due to a lack of a background check.The real-life Cheryl Bradshaw called him “creepy” and while she picked him for a date, she didn’t actually go on the date.
Alcala was arrested in 1979 and while he received death sentences in 1980 and 1986, judges changed their mind about that twice. He received another death sentence in 2010 after new evidence was found. He passed away in 2021 from natural causes.
Like theNetflix horror movieThe Deliverancethat is also based on true events,Woman of the Hourgoes beyond the sensationalized story that people know about and offers something intelligent. In an interview withEntertainment Weekly,Kendrick explained thatWoman of the Houraddresses big themes asks and important questions about love, dating, and truly knowing another person. She said:
“what we’ve heard is once upon a time, there was a very violent, dangerous murderer who went onThe Dating Game. But once I signed on to direct and I got to dive into some research and make tweaks, to me, the fact that he went onThe Dating Gameis the least interesting part of the story.”
Kendrick continued:
“We got to useThe Dating Gameas this framing thematic device about, how do you know who is a safe person and who is not?”
When Does Woman Of The Hour Come Out?
Woman of the Hourwill premiere on Netflix on October 18th, 2024. The movie was screened at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival on September 8th, 2023.
What Are Some Of Anna Kendrick’s Movies?
While apopular horror movie left Netflix in late September 2024and fans always have to say goodbye to favorite TV shows and films that leave the streaming service, everyone should check outWoman of the Hour.Kendrick’s directional debut looks to be as impressive as the rest of her resume.
