Anna Kendrick’s directorial debutWoman of the Hourhas arrived at Netflix with stellar reviews. First debuting at the Toronto International Film Festival, the movie isbased on the true story of serial killer Rodney Alcala appearing on the game showThe Dating Gameand wins adate with Cheryl Bradshaw(Kendrick). At that point, Alcala had already murdered five women, and his appearance on the show gave him the nickname “The Dating Game Killer.”
Woman of the Hour’s release on Netflix is preceded by its impressiveRotten Tomatoesscore from critics. At the time of this writing,the film currently has a 91% rating on the review aggregator, making it one of the best-rated Netflix movies of 2024. The consensus forWoman of the Hoursays, “Deftly directed by star Anna Kendrick, Woman of the Hour uses an incredible true story as the foundation for a powerful examination of the intersection between systemic misogyny and violence.”
What Exactly Are The Critics Saying About Woman Of The Hour?
It’s An Excellent Telling Of A True Story
Reviews forWoman of the Hourpoint to Kendrick’s electrifying performance and gentle and assured handling of the movie’s true story.RogerEbert.com’s Marya E. Gates says that “Before the violence becomes scintillating or exploitative, she abruptly cuts away, making sure the viewer is aware of their own voyeurism, which she has the power to deny.” The film sounds likea non-exploitative piece that instead uses its source material to point out glaring flawsthat are still rampant in today’s society like misogyny and the violence it can lead to.
Woman Of The Hour Cast & Real-Life Character Guide
Apart from walking through some real-life crimes of Rodney Alcala, Woman of the Hour also uses its character beats to explore deeper underlying themes
Our Take On Woman Of The Hour’s Critical Reception
Kendrick Is Proving To Be A Directing Talent
Kendrick has proved her range as an actress, such as Jason Reitman’sUp in the Air, which led to Kendrick earning an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress, and her comedic turn in thePitch Perfectmovies. Therefore, it’s exciting to see that she has just as much talent when she’s also behind the camera. As a fan of her work, I’m excited to seeWoman of the Hourthrive on Netflix and what else Kendrick chooses to direct in the future.
Woman of the Hour
Cast
Woman of the Hour is a biographical thriller directed by Anna Kendrick, who also stars in the film. The movie chronicles the infamous real-life story of Cheryl Bradshaw’s appearance on the 1978 edition of The Dating Game, where one of the contestants, Rodney Alcala, would later be revealed as a notorious serial killer. The film delves into the chilling intersection of entertainment and true crime.
