Summary

  • Anna Kendrick's film Woman of the Hour is based on the improbable true story of Cheryl Bradshaw and serial killer Rodney Alcala.
  • Woman of the Hour, Anna Kendrick's directorial debut, has been earning rave reviews and boasts an impressive 90% on Rotten Tomatoes.
  • The film is described as a tight thriller highlighting the dangers faced by Cheryl as a woman, with impressive performances and visuals.

I'm really excited for Anna Kendrick's film Anna Kendrick, who moves into the director's chair for the latest film "based on a true story."

Kendrick stars in Woman of the Hour as aspiring actress Cheryl Bradshaw, who agrees to go on The Dating Game at the suggestion of her agent. Woman of the Hour is a big step for Anna Kendrick, giving her the chance to act and direct the film. One of the potential bachelors isn't what he appears to be though, setting off a tense film that's been earning rave reviews. I'm really excited to see the film for lots of reasons, especially because the premise is based on one of the wildest TV game show stories ever.

Collage of Anna Kendrick in Pitch Perfect, Up in the Air, and Scott Pilgrim
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Anna Kendrick's Woman Of The Hour Is Based On The Story Of Serial Killer Rodney Alcala

How A Real-Life Killer's Game Show Appearance Inspired Woman Of The Hour

the set of The Dating Game, with its contestants and host standing on it, for Woman of the Hour

Woman of the Hour is based on a true story about a real-life serial killer who appeared on TV, and I still can't believe it actually happened. At the heart of Woman of the Hour is the story of Rodney Alcala, a serial killer in the 1970s. This was an era of infamous murderers like the Zodiac Killer and Ted Bundy, who've also gotten films focused on them. That's what makes the story of Rodney so surprising, as the unique circumstances of his story make it an ideal story to adapt for the big screen.

Amid a killing spree that would eventually get Alcala arrested, the killer appeared as a guest on The Dating Game. He even won a date with the titular "woman of the hour," Cheryl Bradshaw. In real life, Cheryl decided against going on a date with Alcala, although the trailer for Woman of the Hour suggests some liberties may have been taken with that aspect of the story, as Kendrick's version of Bradshaw is seen speaking with Alcala over dinner. However, these changes seem to be in service of an impressive film.

Anna Kendrick as Beca in Pitch Perfect and Stephanie in A Simple Favor
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Woman Of The Hour Already Has Great Reviews

Woman Of The Hour Has Earned A 90% Score On Rotten Tomatoes

Woman of the Hour is the directorial debut of Anna Kendrick, and it's already been earning rave reviews on the festival circuit. At the time of this writing, the film boasts an impressive 90% on Rotten Tomatoes. It's great for fans of Kendrick like me, who've been ecstatic seeing her career develop after a truly fantastic performance in 2009's Up in the Air. I'm especially excited to see Kendrick stepping into the director's role for the film, with the reviews for Woman of the Hour suggesting she's developed a real skill behind the camera.

Notable Anna Kendrick Films

Role

Up In The Air (2009)

Natalie Keener

Pitch Perfect (2012)

Beca

A Simple Favor (2018)

Stephanie Smothers

Woman of the Hour (2024)

Cheryl Bradshaw

The reviews describe the film as a tight thriller underscored by the inherent dangers awaiting Cheryl as a woman in 20th-century society. Given her experience as an actor, it makes sense Kendrick could draw out impressive performances from her cast. I'm more excited though to see how she handles the film's narrative and visuals, the latter of which many reviews have singled out as some of the film's best elements. Netflix has acquired the streaming rights for Woman of the Hour, and I'll definitely be one of the first people to check it out as soon as it hits streaming.

Woman of the Hour (2024) Official Poster

Your Rating

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Woman of the Hour
Crime
Drama
Mystery
Thriller
6/10
16
7.4/10
Release Date
September 26, 2023
Runtime
94 Minutes
Director
Anna Kendrick

Cast

See All
  • Headshot Of Anna Kendrick
    Anna Kendrick
    Cheryl Bradshaw
  • Headshot Of Daniel Zovatto
    Daniel Zovatto
    Rodney Alcala

WHERE TO WATCH

Streaming

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.

Writers
Ian MacAllister McDonald
Distributor(s)
Netflix