Anna Kendrick’s directorial debut Woman of the Hour has arrived at Netflix with stellar reviews. First debuting at the Toronto International Film Festival, the movie is based on the true story of serial killer Rodney Alcala appearing on the game show The Dating Game and wins a date with Cheryl Bradshaw (Kendrick). At that point, Alcala had already murdered five women, and his appearance on the show gave him the nickname “The Dating Game Killer.”
Woman of the Hour’s release on Netflix is preceded by its impressive Rotten Tomatoes score from critics. At the time of this writing, the film currently has a 91% rating on the review aggregator, making it one of the best-rated Netflix movies of 2024. The consensus for Woman of the Hour says, “Deftly directed by star Anna Kendrick, Woman of the Hour uses an incredible true story as the foundation for a powerful examination of the intersection between systemic misogyny and violence.”
What Exactly Are The Critics Saying About Woman Of The Hour?
It’s An Excellent Telling Of A True Story
Reviews for Woman of the Hour point to Kendrick’s electrifying performance and gentle and assured handling of the movie’s true story. RogerEbert.com‘s Marya E. Gates says that “Before the violence becomes scintillating or exploitative, she abruptly cuts away, making sure the viewer is aware of their own voyeurism, which she has the power to deny.” The film sounds like a non-exploitative piece that instead uses its source material to point out glaring flaws that are still rampant in today’s society like misogyny and the violence it can lead to.
The critical reception of Woman of the Hour, on top of its intriguing premise and origin, should pique the interest of Netflix subscribers who are looking for a well-told thriller this Halloween season.
Woman of the Hour’s critical success bodes well for Kendrick’s future as a filmmaker. She has already received an accolade for directing, winning the Directors to Watch award at the Palm Springs International Film Festival. The accolade and the critical reception of Woman of the Hour, on top of its intriguing premise and origin, should pique the interest of Netflix subscribers, who are looking for a well-told thriller this Halloween season.
Our Take On Woman Of The Hour’s Critical Reception
Kendrick Is Proving To Be A Directing Talent
Kendrick has proved her range as an actress, such as Jason Reitman’s Up in the Air, which led to Kendrick earning an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress, and her comedic turn in the Pitch Perfect movies. Therefore, it’s exciting to see that she has just as much talent when she’s also behind the camera. As a fan of her work, I’m excited to see Woman of the Hour thrive on Netflix and what else Kendrick chooses to direct in the future.
Source: Rotten Tomatoes
