October 24th 2024.
In her latest film, Woman of the Hour, Anna Kendrick takes on a challenging role that breaks away from her usual upbeat and peppy characters. The film, which also marks her directorial debut, delves into the disturbing real-life case of serial killer Rodney Alcala's appearance on a US dating show in 1978. Despite the risk, Kendrick was determined to bring this story to life and it has become a hit on Netflix, topping the charts in the US and globally.
When asked why she chose to take on this project, Kendrick laughs and admits that she's been asked this question many times before. In fact, her first reaction to the script was to seek the opinion of a close friend who she's known for over 20 years. After discussing the story and its challenges, Kendrick's friend asked her a simple yet thought-provoking question: "Why this? Why now?" This made Kendrick re-evaluate her decision, but ultimately, she was drawn to the opening scene of the film, where we see Alcala interacting with one of his victims. To Kendrick, this scene represents the violation of trust and the shame that one person can inflict on another.
As an accomplished performer, Kendrick has received praise for her roles in both film and theatre. However, she acknowledges that this project is a major departure from her previous work. Yet, she was drawn to the complexity and depth of the story, and the opportunity to explore the theme of shame and how it can lead to harm. This is a topic that is not unfamiliar to Kendrick, and she believes it will resonate with many viewers, especially women.
One of the biggest challenges for Kendrick was finding the right balance between depicting the gruesome murders and not exploiting them for shock value. She wanted to avoid making the audience feel comfortable or titillated, but also didn't want to shy away from the harsh reality of Alcala's crimes. As a result, the film does not show any graphic depictions of violence, but still manages to convey the horror and impact of these murders.
It's impossible to discuss a film like Woman of the Hour without using the word "victim." As a society, we have become accustomed to viewing these types of cases in a certain way, often placing blame on the victims. However, Kendrick hopes that this film will challenge that narrative and remind us that sometimes, despite our best efforts, we can still fall victim to violence and harm. She emphasizes that the women in the film all have different personalities and interact with Alcala in different ways, yet they all meet the same tragic fate.
In the end, Woman of the Hour is a tense and thought-provoking film that sheds light on a disturbing and tragic case. Kendrick's directorial debut is a bold and powerful statement, and it's clear that she took on this project with a strong sense of purpose and a desire to tell this story in a meaningful way. Whether you're a fan of her previous work or just looking for a gripping and thought-provoking film, Woman of the Hour is a must-watch.
In the 1970s, there was a dating show in the US that became the stage for a real-life serial killer. This unexpected twist was the premise of the newly released Netflix movie, Woman of the Hour, which also serves as the directorial debut of popular actress, Anna Kendrick. Known for her roles in hit franchises like Pitch Perfect and Trolls, Kendrick takes on a more serious subject matter in this film by confronting the issue of victim-blaming.
Despite her successful career, the 39-year-old star is often associated with upbeat and lively characters. However, Woman of the Hour is a major departure from her usual roles as it delves into the bizarre and almost unbelievable appearance of serial killer, Rodney Alcala, on the TV show The Dating Game in 1978. At the time, Alcala was in the midst of his horrific crime spree and was eventually convicted of seven murders, with the actual number of his victims speculated to be as high as 130.
I had the chance to speak with Kendrick virtually from her kitchen, just before the release of Woman of the Hour. Within just three days, the film has already claimed the top spot in the Netflix US film charts and has garnered almost 10 million views globally. It's an impressive feat, but Kendrick is well aware that this intense and true-to-life drama may not be what people were expecting from her, and she knew it was a risky move for her career.
When I asked her why she took on such a challenging project, she laughed and replied, "You're certainly not the first to ask me that!" In fact, her first friend who read the script also questioned her decision and asked why she wanted to take on such a risky project. This made Kendrick think about the film again, but ultimately it was the opening scene that compelled her to do Woman of the Hour. In this scene, we see Alcala interacting with a woman named Sarah, who he eventually strangles to death after driving her to a remote location in Wyoming to take her photograph.
For Kendrick, it was not the graphic violence that drew her to the story, but rather the idea of trust being violated and the theme of shame. She shares that this is a topic that she has personally dealt with, as have many others, especially women. And while the story may be extreme, the question of how someone can go from feeling safe to being in such a dangerous situation is something that many can relate to.
One of the biggest challenges Kendrick faced while making Woman of the Hour was finding the right balance in depicting the murders. She wanted to avoid any graphic details, but also didn't want to make the audience feel comfortable or titillated by the violence. She was inspired by the original version of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, which made her feel uncomfortable during the scenes of sexual assault, and she wanted a similar reaction from viewers.
The film also touches upon the issue of victim-blaming and reminds us that even if we do everything "right," we can still fall victim to dangerous individuals. Kendrick emphasizes that all the women in the film have different personalities and encounter Alcala in different ways, but they all end up in dangerous situations. And while we may be taught to watch out for red flags and protect ourselves, sometimes it may not be enough to keep us safe.
In the end, Woman of the Hour serves as a powerful reminder that no one is immune to danger, and that it's important to confront and address issues like victim-blaming. Kendrick's directorial debut may be a major departure from her previous work, but it's a risk that pays off with a gripping and thought-provoking film that is garnering attention and acclaim.
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