Netflix is set to release the highly anticipated crime thriller Woman of the Hour, starring Anna Kendrick in a gripping retelling of the real-life story of serial killer Rodney Alcala. The film, which marks Kendrick’s directorial debut, premiered at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival and has earned a 90% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Set in the 1970s, the film follows the stranger-than-fiction tale of Cheryl Bradshaw, an aspiring actress who unknowingly crosses paths with Alcala, played by Daniel Zovatto, during an appearance on a TV dating show. Alcala, who was in the midst of a years-long murder spree, shockingly appeared as a charming bachelor contestant, hiding his gruesome crimes.
Kendrick, known for her role as Beca Mitchell in the Pitch Perfect franchise, takes on the dual role of director and lead actress in this intense crime drama. Producers Roy Lee, Miri Yoon, J.D. Lifshitz, and Raphael Margules back the project, while Ian McDonald pens the script. The film explores not just Alcala’s terrifying crimes but also the chilling vulnerability of women in the entertainment industry during that era.
Netflix secured the distribution rights to Woman of the Hour for $11 million, further emphasizing the platform’s commitment to high-profile, true-crime content.