Woman of the Hour

Woman of the Hour

“Woman of the Hour” is a 2023 American crime thriller that serves as Anna Kendrick’s directorial debut. This film is based on the life and crimes of a serial killer, Rodney Alcala, and how he participated in the television show “The Dating Game” in 1978. Kendrick recorded and starred in this film, where she played the role of Sheryl Bradshaw, an actress who ends up winning the competition on the show, interacting with Alcala, who Daniel Zovatto plays.

The plot shows how during the late 1970s, Sheryl Bradshaw was a contestant in a famous television show, “The Dating Game.” The contestants and many of the audience had no idea that by one of the contestants, Rodney Alcala, was a serial killer who was actively committing crimes. The medium goes into the terrifying detail of Sheryl’s encounter with Alcala, how she met him, and the troubling truths that lie behind charming personalities.

  • Director: Anna Kendrick
  • Screenplay: Ian MacAllister McDonald
  • Producers: Roy Lee, Miri Yoon, J.D. Lifshitz, Rapahel Margules

Cast:

  • Anna Kendrick as Sheryl Bradshaw
  • Daniel Zovatto as Rodney Alcala
  • Nicolette Robinson
  • Tony Hale

IMDb Ratings:

Currently, “Woman of the Hour” has an imdb rating of 6.8 and is rated out of 10 which is above average.

Womenn of the hour received a favorble average in audience reviews.

Personal Insights: Anna Kendrick’s very first directorial venture tells a compelling yet disturbing story while capturing the contours of the true events it is styled around.

Her performance as Sheryl Bradshaw is multilayered, capturing the fragility and bravery of a woman who is unwittingly preyed upon. Zovatto’s performance as Rodney Alcala is equally terrifying, capturing the utter charm and utter menace of the man. These features, along with the meticulous set and costume design of the film, enable the audience to embrace the story set in the 70s.

Cultural Significance: “Woman of the Hour” is more than just a retelling of a gruesome true crime story; it too acts as an insight of the social environment of the 70s and its issues such as gender issues in filed and how women were treated in the film industry. The film itself provides great insight on the charm of retaining beauty bun ignoring the damage it does, and the suppressive need of intuition and vigilance. By choosing to give away her paycheck from the film, Kendrick shows she is willing to face the real-life consequences of these stories and wanting to help families of violent crime victims.

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