Woman of the Hour is a riveting and impressive directorial debut from Anna Kendrick. Known for starring roles in the Pitch Perfect franchise, and solid support opposite films including Up in the Air with George Clooney – this is a departure. It centres on the appearance of infamous serial killer Rodney Alcala on The Dating Game back in 1978, where a woman narrowly escaped being next on his list. Woman of the Hour might be a Netflix original, but this fledgling director has clearly been given creative freedom to implement her vision. There are flashes of David Fincher in the framing, tipping a hat to his Zodiac masterclass, but also shares Don Seigel influences demonstrating how era specific Kendrick has been in her choices.
Brooding, brazen, and bold, Woman of the Hour spends time in the company of Alcala as he scopes out his victims. Using his camera as an extension of her own perspective, these moments embrace elements of ‘70s cinema in the execution. For Sheryl, a jobbing actress in Los Angeles, The Dating Game is just another opportunity at exposure in the beginning. With the switch between on set and behind the scenes moments playing into the drama, audiences are asked to buy into this grounded reality with Kendrick turning in a very measured performance. Although Woman of the Hour might not come as close to the bone as other serial killer movies, it walks a fine line with the depiction of violence. Either shot from a distance or focusing on single details, Kendrick is careful to avoid glorifying any one element.
Daniel Zavatto also stays the right side of seedy as Rodney Alcala, projecting a hippy bohemian chic while luring these women to their death. Much of this film feels like Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, since Woman of the Hour spends a great deal of time doing nothing. There are dialogue scenes, and momentum is steady, but the pivotal encounter that defines this film is fleeting. Meaning that audiences need to read between the lines, connecting with these characters without being spoon fed. From that perspective Woman of the Hour feels like a fly-on-the-wall docudrama with polish. The drama coming from how close Sheryl came to being another serial killer statistic in the roll call of victims that may have been as high as 130. Shocking, self-assured, and introducing an actor with genuine potential behind the camera – audiences should be keen to see what Anna Kendrick does next.
Woman of the Hour is streaming on Netflix now.