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By Chris Snellgrove
| Published
Anna Kendrick made a name for herself by starring in a series of classic films such as Perfect Pitch a Scott Pilgrim vs The World. Because of her likeable “girl next door” quality, it has been difficult for some movie goers to realize how talented she really is. As it turns out, Kendrick is just as skilled behind the camera as he is in front of it, and you can now watch his stunning directorial debut. Woman of the Hour on Netflix.
A Terrifying True Story
Anna Kendrick’s first film focuses on the horrific case of Rodney Alcala, a real-life serial killer who was still doing time to appear on it. The Dating Game in 1978 while in the midst of his gruesome killings. In an interesting choice of filmmaking, Woman of the Hour is split between telling the bloody, episodic adventures of Alcala and the simpler story of an aspiring actress who thinks going on a national game show will improve her career prospects. Unfortunately, this puts her on a collision course with Alcala, a competitor whose increasing body count proves that everyone in his path is a potential target.
As you might expect, Anna Kendrick is starring in her own film, playing the wannabe actress whose career ambitions bring her face to face with the killer, expertly played by Daniel Zovatto (a gruesome ex-soldier who has starring in modern classics such as It Follows a The Pope’s Exorcist). The game show host is played by Tony Hale, still best known for his comedy roles in Arrested Development a Veep. Other great performers are Woman of the Hour featuring Nicolette Robinson, Pete Holmes, and Kelley Jakle.
Unfortunately, Anna Kendrick’s directorial debut has never made it to theaters (it’s a Netflix exclusive), which means there is no box office for it. We say “sad” because the critics that Kendrick impressed would certainly have liked to see this film on the big screen. Ar Rotten tomatoes, Woman of the Hour It has a critical score of 91 percent, with critics generally praising how the film creates a stunning modern examination of abuse and violence that is nonetheless rooted in the tragedies of the past.
Aside from that impressive Rotten Tomatoes score, why do we think you should check out Anna Kendrick’s first film? As a director, she manages to deliver some real chills that will stay with you long after the credits roll. The fact that she managed to do this in the overcrowded true crime genre is, frankly, much more impressive, and her film (unlike many in this genre) never tries to thrill the life killer real in the middle of it.
Woman of the Hour also cleverly uses its narrative framing as a way to analyze how the violence of a serial killer is often linked to misogyny in ways we are still trying to figure out to this day. It’s an important message that viewers need to understand, but Anna Kendrick never comes across as a preachy or moral director. Instead, she presents the horrors of today through the lens of yesterday in a confident way that leaves us terrified of what tomorrow will bring.
If we’re being honest, we’re still mostly surprised by the fact that Anna Kendrick, already one of Hollywood’s most reliable talents, is as skilled as a director. You will be so impressed Woman of the Hour as we were when you stream it on Netflix? You’ll never know until you discover its perfect (ahem) pitch direction for yourself.
