Summary
Woman of the Hour is a work of fiction that is set in a different reality, starring Anna Kendrick as a director for the first time. подіارد на потвердження ствердженКендрик. Woman of the Hour is inspired by the infamous Alvin R. Alcala, a serial killer who competed in The Dating Game show in 1978 while he was actively murdering women. In this psychological horror film, we follow Cheryl Bradshaw who is shocked to find out that the man she picked on a date, Rodney, was a murderer.
Woman of the Hour combines psychological tension, true crime, and an examination of the woman’s perspective focusing on themes of violence, manipulation, and the deleterious effect of media.
Plot Summary
The film contains two separate but equally captivating storylines:
The Dating Game Episode (1978)
On The Dating Game, Rodney Alcala is a contestant who catches the attention of Cheryl Bradshaw. Much to her surprise, he wins and the two go on a date.
Rodney’s charm makes him a fast talker, but Cheryl begins to get scared of him. In the end, she decides to bail on the date altogether and dodges the opportunity to be one of his victims.
Alcala’s Secrets Revealed: Life as A Serial Killer
The documentary gives a chilling insight into Alcala’s schemes of luring women by masquerading as a professional photographer, as well as the fact that so many women fell for his treachery. It also highlights Alcala’s crimes as well.
The blend of romance and horror is indeed mesmerizing. In one moment, we are cringing at the terror resting beneath Alcala’s warm veneer and in the other we are being psychologically tortured, engulfed in the facade created by the Dating Game.
Woman of the Hour excels in character-driven storytelling by capturing the intricacies of both Alcala’s and Cheryl’s world, showcasing the fantasy of media trickery and the gory reality of how it enables the power dynamics that fosters women suffering.
Cast & Characters
“Cheryl Bradshaw” portrayed by Anna Kendrick – She gets screened for the show The Dating Game as a novice actress hoping to get picked, and unknowingly selects alcala who gets her feeling on edge every time she learns more about him.
“Rodney Alcala” divided by Daniel Zovatto – He presents himself as a well manner serial killer and manipulates his victims into trusting him. Behind the camera, he assumes the role of a photographer and uses his intellect and magnetism to attract women.
Tony Hale as the host of The Dating Game – He embodies the unsettling yet humorous vibe of the era when reality television was trendy, enabling a carefree and parasitic style of entertainment.
Nicolette Robinson – Contributing figure, likely to be one of Alcala’s targets or someone in Cheryl’s social inner circle.
Kathleen Lyons – Another pivotal character who accentuates the narrative, probably the interpretation of the women enraged by the crimes of Alcala.
Alongside starring in the film, Anna Kendrick makes her directorial debut in this film, thus marking a new milestone in her career.
Themes and Cultural Importance
Not only is this true crime film caricatured as Woman of the Hour, but it also exhibits strong social and feminist themes prevalent in the modern world.
- The Power of Charisma & Deceit
Alcala was an articulate and intelligent man; his distinctive traits made him dangerously deceitful. The film examines the means by which serial predatory criminals brand themselves to society as-upstanding members of the community and, through charm, never get a second glance in public spaces with no suspicion pointed in their direction.
More disturbing is the fact that he was actively engaging in criminal activity while appearing on national television without his cover being blown. He was indeed a gifted deceiver.
- Misogyny and The Perils of the Entertainment Industry
With sex symbols being popularized on television, the 1970s were no different, especially with The Dating Game.
Like many shows, Cheryl Bradshaw, the contestant, was groomed to flirt with and entertain men, demonstrating and emphasizing the standards of passivity women are made to adhere to, even when it is uncomfortable.
It is commendable that even at her age, she is careful enough to not accept something that, to her, does not feel right, just like what happened in the case of Alcala. The movie firmly expresses how gut instincts should be taken very seriously. These are just some of the ways the film subtlety critiques how the media ignored woman’s discomfort in the case of over aggression and how survivors with poor female intuition had to overcome. Many of Alcala’s victims may have experienced some form of discomfort, but they have been trained not to heed such instincts and expect women to act in a certain manner, which is rather scary.
International Film Festival Premiere:
Kendrick, well known for her roles in ‘Pitch Perfect’ and ‘A Simple Favor’, makes her decision to direct Woman of The Hour, which is her first feature film, also marks Kendrick’s Directorial Debut. In the interviews that have been conducted with her, it is clear that the film’s feminist themes and the psychological layers which appealed to her made her to head in the direction.
‘True Crime Accuracy’:
This film does not shy away from dramatic bearings and emphasizes the importance of remaining faithful to the real events. This includes details of Alcala’s crimes and The Dating Game episode. The core of the matter does remain chillingly true, whilst some dramatization may occur.
Woman of the Hour made its world premiere at TIFF 2023, where it received praise for its direction, performances, and vivid storytelling.
Critical Reception
The critics are of the view that Woman of the Hour is skillfully crafted with great depth and a terrifying theme. Highlighted reviews include:
✅ Anna Kendrick Masterfully handled the expectations: Many were shocked at how well Kendrick expertly dealt with suspense, tension, and social commentary.
✅ Daniel Zovatto Especially Scary: His portrayal of Alcala is terrifyingly charismatic, which adds another level of horror to the film.
✅ A Contradictory Perspective on True Crime: Unlike most true crime novels and films, Woman of the Hour places more importance on the victims and survivors than the depravities of the killer.
While some detractors thought there was space for more intensity, the bulk of the audience thought it burned through them without losing any social relevance along the way.
Similar Films & Recommendations
If you appreciated Woman of the Hour, these may be of interest to you:
🔹 Zodiac (2007) – A creepy thriller about the Zodiac Killers real-life story, crafted by David Fincher.
🔹 Mindhunter (2017-2019) – A Netflix show about the FBI’s initial research on serial killers.
🔹 Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile (2019) – A story about the infamous Ted Bundy’s crimes serverd through the eyes of the people closest to him.
🔹Nightcrawler (2014)- exposes the sinister side of media and exploitation much like how The Dating Game ignored serious red flags.
🔹Gone Girl (2014) – This is a psychological thriller that explores media competence and gender relations.
Final Thoughts
Woman of the Hour is interesting and explores unusual aspects of true crime because it’s told from the perspective of the victim’s perspectives instead of the killer. Anna Kendrick puts the focus on the women connected to his crimes instead of the murderer.
This is a captivating film that intertwines suspense, historical events and social commentary which is why it is one of the most discussed directorial debuts of the year.
