Anna Kendrick's 'Woman of the Hour'—Cast, real-life inspiration, release details
The gripping trailer for the much-awaited thriller Woman of the Hour is out, featuring Anna Kendrick in a chilling encounter with a serial killer. Directed by Kendrick in her directorial debut, the film is based on the real-life story of Cheryl Bradshaw, who unknowingly won a date with notorious serial killer Rodney Alcala on the TV show The Dating Game. Here's what you should know about this thriller.
A star-studded cast and chilling plot unveiled in trailer
Woman of the Hour boasts a star-studded cast including Daniel Zovatto, Nicolette Robinson, Tony Hale, Kathryn Gallagher, Kelley Jakle, and Autumn Best. The trailer showcases Kendrick as Cheryl Bradshaw on The Dating Game, winning a date with Alcala that takes a horrifying turn. The over one minute and 30 seconds clip also hints at Alcala's other victims, setting the stage for a chilling narrative. The official post by the makers captioned it: "Which one of you will hurt me?"
Take a look at the trailer here
Alcala's terrifying crimes and Bradshaw's narrow escape
For those unaware, Alcala, a notorious serial killer, was active from 1968 to 1979. Although he was definitively linked to eight murders, it is believed that he may have killed up to 130 people. In 1978, during his killing spree, Alcala appeared on The Dating Game and won a date with Bradshaw. However, Bradshaw sensed his disturbing behavior and declined to go out with him.
'Woman of the Hour' receives critical acclaim
Woman of the Hour premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2023, receiving widespread praise from critics. It initially scored a perfect 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, which has since dropped to 90% with 51 reviews. Critics lauded Kendrick's direction as "undeniably powerful," "chillingly sharp," "poignant and unsettling," and hailed it as "a tremendous directorial debut." Netflix acquired the rights to the film following its TIFF premiere.
When will it be released on Netflix?
Despite its critical success, Woman of the Hour faced hurdles in securing a release. Netflix initially acquired global distribution rights but later withdrew. The film was then sold at Cannes before Netflix reacquired the rights. The film is currently set for a theatrical release on October 11. Netflix plans to release Woman of the Hour on its streaming platform soon, but it will only be available in select regions. The official streaming release date has not yet been announced.
