Movie Review - Woman of the Hour

Director: Anna kendrick
Genre: Thriller/ Crime
Runtime: 95 minutes
Year: 2024
Starring: Anna Kendrick, Daniel Zovatto, Tony Hale, Nicolette Robinson, Pete Holmes, Autumn Best, Kathryn Gallagher, Kelley Jake

Description: Cheryl Bradshaw (Anna Kendrick), a single woman looking for a suitor on a hit 1970s TV show, chooses charming bachelor Rodney Alcala (Daniel Zovatto), unaware that, behind the man's gentle facade, he hides a deadly secret.

Review: “Woman of the Hour” is Anna Kendrick’s directorial debut. The film is based on a bizarre true story. Kendrick herself plays Cheryl Bradshaw, who moved to Hollywood to become an actress. After many failed auditions, she is giving up hope. The she takes a job on the 70s TV hit “The Dating Game” as a bachelor looking for a date. Among the 3 competing bachelors is Rodney Alcala. A charming young man with a deadly secret.

Anna Kendrick called “Woman of the Hour” the moment of her career she is most proud of. And she should be, because it’s a great directorial debut. In a film about a serial killer, as a first-time director, she cleverly weaves together different timelines. She chooses not to show the violence too explicitly; details and the aftermath of one of Alcala’s attacks tells you enough as a viewer. As do the photos he takes of his victims before they know what awaits them.

The film intentionally puts more focus on the victims. And Kendrick also wanted to prioritize how dangerous it can be when they and those around them are not believed. “Woman of the Hour” exposes the painful reality of women through a terrible story. It’s an exciting film, with a lot of tension and constant threat. Especially a scene in a parking lot makes your heart pound in your throat.  

 It’s definitely worth seeing and well done Anna Kendrick. In my opinion an impressive and excellent directorial debut.

Rating: 4,5/ 5