Anna Kendrick’s Woman of the Hour takes a fascinating and disturbing piece of true crime history—the story of Rodney Alcala, aka “The Dating Game Killer”—and turns it into a tense, nostalgia-soaked crime thriller. Balancing her trademark charm with unsettling tension, Kendrick directs a stylish film that thrives on its great performances, retro vibes, and a narrative that’ll make you grateful for modern-day DNA evidence. Though it occasionally feels a bit too polished for the gritty 70s setting, Woman of the Hour is a strong debut for Kendrick behind the camera.
“[The Woman of the Hour] thrives on its great performances, retro vibes, and a narrative that’ll make you grateful for modern-day DNA evidence.”
The movie opens with a single, harrowing scene that sets the tone: Rodney Alcala (Daniel Zovatto) lures a woman into a secluded spot under the guise of a photography session, only to strangle her to death. This establishes Alcala’s pattern—charm, manipulate, kill—and more vignettes of his crimes are woven throughout the film, showcasing his ability to flip from disarming to deadly in seconds. Zovatto nails the role, capturing both the killer’s twisted charisma and underlying menace. His performance is magnetic, and his ability to shift on a dime is reminiscent of a young Vincent D’Onofrio. Already a standout in Don’t Breathe and It Follows, Zovatto delivers his best work yet, cementing his status as a rising star in the genre.
The central story revolves around Sheryl Bradshaw (Anna Kendrick), an aspiring actress roped into appearing on The Dating Game, a wildly popular TV show of the era. At the same time, Alcala is selected as Bachelor #3—unbeknownst to the show’s producers, who clearly didn’t do their homework. As the taping unfolds, Sheryl begins to sense something is off with Rodney, though the show’s glitzy, kitschy set provides a disturbing contrast to the horror simmering beneath the surface. Kendrick’s portrayal of Sheryl is sharp, her natural wit and humor adding a layer of believability to her character’s growing discomfort.
Woman of the Hour shifts between Alcala’s various murders and the taping of The Dating Game, maintaining tension by keeping the audience keenly aware of what Sheryl doesn’t know. The scenes where Alcala lures his victims are hauntingly effective, particularly one involving Amy (Autumn Best), a streetwise runaway. Best is phenomenal, channeling the tenacity of a young Heather Langenkamp as Nancy Thompson in A Nightmare on Elm Street, and makes for a standout victim in her portrayal of Alcala’s final target. Her arc adds a layer of heart and tragedy to the film, giving the audience someone to root for amidst the chaos.
The film does a stellar job capturing the era, with all its 70s fabulousness and tacky charm. The Dating Game set is full of bold colors (so much brown) and retro vibes, and the costumes are perfection—though, sometimes too perfect. Everything feels a bit too pristine for a story about a serial killer operating in the shadows. The clothes are fresh off the hanger, the cars are spotless, and it lacks the griminess that made the 70s such a dangerous and chaotic time for nomadic serial killers like Alcala. It works for the TV show setting, but not so much for the real-life horror Alcala’s victims face in the desolate desert.
The film also tackles the sexism of the time, though not always with the nuance it deserves. There are moments when the vulnerability of Alcala’s female victims is palpable, especially in those encounters where you feel their isolation and helplessness. But when the sexism is laid on too thick—cue 100 eyerolls from Sheryl—it feels more like lip service than authentic storytelling. That said, Sheryl’s tense encounter in the parking lot with Rodney is one of the film’s most chilling moments, capturing the real dangers women continue to face, but especially in a cellphoneless 70s. It’s a scene that lingers far more effectively than any witty retort.
“Woman of the Hour is a captivating, creepy dive into a bizarre true crime story, elevated by a stellar performance from Daniel Zovatto and a solid directorial debut from Anna Kendrick. “
The biggest surprise in Woman of the Hour is how far it delves into Alcala’s reign of terror. I expected the movie to focus solely on The Dating Game and a possible ‘date from hell’ scenario, but it branches out to cover multiple real-life murders committed by Alcala throughout the 70s. This jump between timelines is well-handled, giving the film a broader scope and a heavier impact. It’s not just about a killer on a game show—it’s about the twisted reality of a man who manipulated, murdered, and slipped through the cracks for far too long.
In the end, Woman of the Hour is a captivating, creepy dive into a bizarre true crime story, elevated by a stellar performance from Daniel Zovatto and a solid directorial debut from Anna Kendrick. The film’s nostalgic 70s vibe and gripping narrative make for an entertaining watch, even if it feels a bit too polished at times.
Woman of the Hour is out now in theatres and on Netflix. Let us know what you thought of this 70s true crime thriller over in the Nightmare on Film Street community on Discord!
