Woman of the Hour, the new thriller, is based on the true story of serial killer Rodney Alcala, who appeared as a contestant on The Dating Game during his killing spree in 1978. At that time, Alcala had already murdered at least five women, but estimates suggest he may have been responsible for the deaths of as many as 130 people between 1977 and 1979. Although I had heard about “The Dating Game Killer,” I didn’t know much beyond his appearance on the show. I was unaware of the full extent of how this story unfolded.

The general public loves true crime, regardless of horror interests. Research suggests true crime’s popularity stems from its spectacle and drama, offering an escape from daily life. For some, it’s the thrill of the mystery or solving a case. For others, it’s the curiosity about why it happened — a real-life “whodunit.”

Attaching a significant star to this movie with an exciting tie-in from The Dating Game was sure to be a slam dunk for Netflix, which regularly debuts true crime documentaries.

This marks Anna Kendrick’s directorial debut, with a script by Ian McDonald. As a longtime fan of Kendrick, the opportunity to see her both direct and star in a movie caught my attention. She is a woman who excels in various film genres, but she is primarily known for comedies like Pitch Perfect and adorable roles such as Poppy in the Troll movies. A Simple Favor, where she starred alongside Blake Lively, showcased a more serious role, similar to her character, Cheryl, in Woman of the Hour.

Like many films based on actual events, some story elements are modified for increased drama, but not excessively. The main storyline follows Cheryl Bradshaw (played by Anna Kendrick), an aspiring actress going on auditions. Her agent encourages her to participate in The Dating Game to gain exposure and increase her chances of being discovered.

Throughout her narrative, flashbacks and flash-forwards feature the victims of Rodney Alcala, highlighting his murders both before and after appearing on the show. Additionally, a young woman in the game show audience recognizes him, providing a brief backstory related to that encounter.

Anna Kendrick is truly a powerhouse in the acting world. She excels in this role, expressing deep emotions effortlessly, primarily through her eyes, which I love about her. Another outstanding performance in this film is by Daniel Zovatto as Rodney Alcala. Looking at his portfolio, I see he hasn’t appeared in many movies, but I loved him in It Follows and The Pope’s Exorcist.

In true Hollywood fashion, I don’t see much resemblance between Zovatto and Alcala. Still, he was chosen as a handsome actor for cinematic purposes to gain the viewer’s trust and Kendrick’s character, when they meet. Zovatto excels at portraying “Is this guy creepy or just friendly?” with his mannerisms, how he looks at his victims and the smoothness in how he speaks.

The film examines how men perceived women in the 1970s and the impact of violence on them. This theme is somewhat reminiscent of this year’s hit, The Substance, which tackles the pressures women face regarding their appearance to succeed. I appreciate that these important topics are highlighted, reflecting women’s daily challenges.

The way Woman of the Hour is filmed, using numerous reflections in mirrors and camera lenses, illustrates how women are often gazed at but not genuinely seen as individuals. Kendrick’s ability to convey sadness through her eyes while smiling is a rare talent. She is truly a master of her craft.

While I enjoyed many aspects of this film, it needed a more effective build-up. There were moments of tension, but they felt more like discomfort. While this approach can work in some films, it makes the climax feel a bit underwhelming. In a movie about a notorious serial killer, missing this aspect is crucial for a successful film. Perhaps it’s my horror fanatic side speaking.

For those who enjoy true crime but not its horrific elements, this film is for you.

Overall, this film is impressive, especially for a directorial debut. We are fortunate to have such quality movies available for streaming, and this is one of those great examples. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys true crime documentaries or podcasts and rate it three-and-a-half out of five stars.

Watch it now on Netflix.