Anna Kendrick’s New Serial Killer Thriller on Netflix Is Seriously Unsettling (& Puts a Fresh Twist on the Genre) (2024)

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5 out of 5 stars

Anna Kendrick’s New Serial Killer Thriller on Netflix Is Seriously Unsettling (& Puts a Fresh Twist on the Genre) (1)

By Nakeisha Campbell

Published Oct 22, 2024

The time is 1 a.m. I'm sitting across from my laptop—in a dark apartment that's way too quiet—as the credits roll for Netflix's Woman of the Hour and I feel terrified. An intense soundtrack is blasting from my headphones as my mind goes straight back to the most terrifying scenes from the film. And even now, as I write this, certain parts still haunt me. But beyond telling a seriously creepy tale that gets under people's skin, I get the feeling that Anna Kendrick—who made her directorial debut with this incredible true-crime thriller—is trying to make an even bigger statement with her approach to the genre.

In case you're unfamiliar with the plot, it follows Sheryl Bradshaw, an aspiring actress who lands a gig on the television showThe Dating Game. But unbeknownst to her, the winning contestant is a serial killer. The movie is based on the true story of Rodney Alcala, a convictedsex offenderand killer who appeared on the show during his murder spree in 1978.

Now, when it comes to most serial killer movies and shows I've seen, the focus is typically on the criminal (like Dahmer, The Little Things, American Murderer, etc.). However, Kendrick takes a refreshing approach by exploring the lives of the victims, which easily makes this one of the best true-crime movies I've ever seen. Let me explain.

In the film, Alcala has this habit of asking his victims a series of personal questions after charming them with compliments. It's in these vulnerable moments that I get a glimpse of each woman's story, ranging from their traumatic past to their current circumstances—and it's in these moments that I start to feel more connected to them. Thismakestheir fates all the more haunting, but at the same time, itfeelslike a powerful message that the lives of these women are worth remembering. Each of their storiesmatters, and I think Kendrickdoesa great job of honoring the many forgotten victims and the loved ones they left behind.

Anna Kendrick’s New Serial Killer Thriller on Netflix Is Seriously Unsettling (& Puts a Fresh Twist on the Genre) (3)

Leah Gallo/Netflix

It comes as no surprise, then, that Kendrick chooses to focus primarily on the real-life Cheryl (FYI, the real Cheryl's name is spelled with a C). I absolutely love how Kendrick depicts her story. She's initially portrayed as a doe-eyed, down-on-her-luck actress who begrudgingly takes on a new gig, but then she grows a backbone when she appears on the show and puts a fun twist on a series of sexist questions.

Anna Kendrick’s New Serial Killer Thriller on Netflix Is Seriously Unsettling (& Puts a Fresh Twist on the Genre) (4)

Leah Gallo/Netflix

By this point, I'm already rooting for Sheryl. I want her to thrive in her acting career and carry her newfound confidence like a badge of honor. And when she has her run-in with Alcala after the show, I'm not so concerned about what's going through his head or what's driving him to commit these crimes (though I will say, Daniel Zovatto makes for a nightmare-worthy criminal). All I want is for Sheryl to run. More than that, I want her to move as far away as she can from this place, erase this nightmare from her memory and move on with her life.

Kendrick's incredible, nuanced portrayal of Cheryl truly brought this film together, and it's impossible to not get emotionally invested in her story. In fact, I'm almost certain that countless viewers (me included) see a bit of themselves in her story, which makes the film feel a bit more personal.

All in all, this is one of the scariest and most emotional true-crime movies you'll see. Just...a quick word of advice: Don't watch this one alone in your apartment.

Anna Kendrick’s New Serial Killer Thriller on Netflix Is Seriously Unsettling (& Puts a Fresh Twist on the Genre) (5)

Leah Gallo/Netflix

PureWow Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Woman of the Hour is a haunting serial killer thriller that smartly avoids the typical approach of exploring the mind of the killer and shifts the focus to victims who were targeted. It's impossible to not grow attached to the victims, and Daniel Zovatto's portrayal of Alcala will make you think twice about striking up a harmless conversation with a charming photographer.

For a full breakdown of PureWow's entertainment rating system, clickhere.

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Anna Kendrick’s New Serial Killer Thriller on Netflix Is Seriously Unsettling (& Puts a Fresh Twist on the Genre) (6)

Nakeisha Campbell

Associate Editor, News and Entertainment

  • Writes celebrity news, TV/movie reviews and SEO-focused entertainment articles
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Anna Kendrick’s New Serial Killer Thriller on Netflix Is Seriously Unsettling (& Puts a Fresh Twist on the Genre) (2024)
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