Woman of the Hour stars Anna Kendrick as Cheryl Bradshaw, Daniel Zovatto as Rodney Alcala, Autumn Best as Amy, Kathryn Gallagher as Charlie, and Pete Holmes as Terry. The Netflix trailer is compelling and leaves the audience eager to discover how the plot will unfold. The movie caught my attention due to its captivating story line and the fact that it is inspired by true events. In Anna Kendrick’s first venture, she sets it apart from other films in the serial killer genre by placing a stronger emphasis on the victims rather than glorifying the perpetrator. It is rare for a film to evoke such strong emotions in me, but this one succeeded in making me frustrated and angry.
Woman of the Hour is a gripping thriller inspired by the true story of the serial murders committed by Rodney Alcala. Sheryl, a talented but struggling actress, is fed up with the blatant misogyny she faces during auditions, where her value is reduced to her looks and objectified by men. She contemplates leaving Los Angeles due to her frustration with the industry until her agent delivers surprising news – a role on The Dating Game as a bachelorette is available. Reluctantly, Sheryl decides to take the opportunity. It is during this show that she first encounters Alcala and selects him as her potential partner. As their interaction progresses, Sheryl becomes uneasy around Alcala and ultimately rejects his advances to spend time together. Subsequent scenes shed light on Alcala’s manipulation tactics as he lures unsuspecting women into dangerous situations and ultimately takes their lives through violent means.
The opening scene skillfully highlights the chilling technique of serial killer Rodney Alcala, who used photography to lure unsuspecting women to remote locations before tragically ending their lives. The attention to detail in recreating 1970’s Los Angeles in the movie is commendable, as it successfully immerses the audience in the era. The use of visuals and ambiance effectively evoke the essence of the time period, allowing viewers to almost feel like they are experiencing it firsthand.
The portrayal of actress Sheryl Bradshaw’s struggles in the cutthroat entertainment industry is both poignant and thought-provoking. The auditions she attends, rife with misogynistic overtones, serve as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by women in that time. What is particularly compelling about Sheryl’s character arc is her transformation from a meek and vulnerable individual to a strong and independent woman who refuses to conform to the societal expectations placed on her. Her journey to defy the chauvinistic stereotypes of the time is empowering and adds depth to the narrative.
The movie’s most captivating aspect was its departure from the typical focus on the killer and delving into his motivations. Instead, Kendrick decided to shine a light on the victims and the pervasive lack of respect they received from the public, especially from men, who dismissed their concerns. This perspective accurately reflected the attitudes of the time period and left me feeling deeply frustrated. The portrayal of scenes where women were brushed off when trying to report danger was truly shocking to witness. However, I believe Kendrick’s intention was to showcase the overlooked side of the crime. The movie not only depicted women being kidnapped, raped, and murdered but also highlighted how their voices were silenced and their stories were ignored.
In conclusion, I believe that this movie was masterfully executed, with meticulous attention to detail in presenting the reality of the situation. For those who may be sensitive to depictions of violence against women, I recommend a trigger warning, although I appreciated that such acts were insinuated rather than explicitly shown. For further information on how Alcala managed to evade capture and continue his reign of terror, you can find more details here.
