Review: Woman of the Hour

Anna Kendrick shines in her directorial debut with the chilling true story of ‘The Dating Game Killer.’ While Woman of the Hour takes some liberties with the storytelling, such as condensing timelines and dramatizing certain events for entertainment, these creative choices enhance the overall theme. Rodney Alcala’s (Daniel Zovatto) crimes are horrifying enough, but the fact that dozens of women were silenced or ignored when they reported him is infuriating and terrifying.

As the film begins, you are introduced to Alcala’s charm. You can fully understand how he lured his victims. The horror of his actions is shown in quick bursts, never fully displaying the violence but showing just enough to convey the gruesomeness of these killings. Daniel Zovatto’s eerie performance will send chills down your spine, while the performances from his victims, played by Kelly Jackle, Kathryn Gallagher, and Autumn Best, will leave you in tears.

Kendrick is not only directing but also stars as Cheryl Bradshaw, a struggling actress who goes on The Dating Game, a popular TV show where a bachelorette asks three bachelors a series of questions to discern the best match. Alcala charms his way to a date with Bradshaw, but as they finally speak in person, she can see through his facade, leading to a situation that all women fear: being alone with a strange person in a parking lot with no one around to help. What Kendrick can convey through her eyes and body language is truly stunning. But what intensifies the scene is the way she filmed it. The tracking shot follows her, and as her pace quickens, Alcala is seen entering the frame.

“Woman of the Hour” is a chilling story based on true events. What’s even more terrifying is how long Alcala was able to get away with dozens of murders because the women who reported him were ignored. Nicolette Robinson delivers a stunning performance, allowing the audience to see how the allegations were not taken seriously by the people around her, The Dating Game production, and most importantly, the police, who failed to investigate the case thoroughly. “Woman of the Hour” marks an excellent directorial debut for Anna Kendrick and will leave the audience stunned and horrified by the events that took place.

Be Aware

This film is based on actual events and depicts the gruesome murders committed by serial killer Rodney Alcala. While the full extent of his actions is not shown on screen, some scenes indicate sexual violence, stalking, and attacks. Please review all trigger warnings before watching. As for parents wondering if their child should watch this, it is rated R, and I would not recommend it for children. However, it is important for women to be aware of what can and did happen to women. I would suggest watching it first and deciding if your teen can handle what is shown on screen.

You can stream Woman of the Hour on Netflix on October 18th.