Anna Kendrick has been a familiar face throughout my life, a charming and talented actress I grew up watching. Now, she’s proving herself to be a true multi-hyphenate, mastering the trifecta of singing, acting, and—most recently—directing. It’s no surprise, given her beginnings in theatre before moving to film.
In this article, we’ll explore her evolution from actor to director, with a special focus on her directorial debut, Woman of the Hour, which premiered on Netflix on October 18th.
A First Look
At the start of the month, Netflix dropped the official trailer for Woman of the Hour, putting it squarely on everyone’s radar after its premiere at the Toronto Film Festival last September.
This true-crime thriller, set in the 1970s, delves into the chilling real-life story of serial killer Rodney Alcala.
The film centers around Cheryl Bradshaw, an aspiring actress who unknowingly meets Alcala on the set of the hit TV show The Dating Game.
Bradshaw, portrayed by Anna Kendrick, ultimately chooses not to go on a date with Alcala, the winning contestant, a decision that very likely saved her life.
The reason? His odd behavior.
Despite his long criminal record, Alcala shockingly used his real name when appearing on The Dating Game, and even more disturbingly, the producers failed to vet him.
This story is a very real reminder of why women, myself included, should often trust their instincts over what’s presented. I know I’d choose the bear.
Check out the trailer!
As it reveals, The Dating Game was a classic American game show, first airing in 1965, where a bachelorette would question three hidden bachelors to choose one for a date.
It kind of reminds me of Netflix’s Love is Blind, where people get to know each other without seeing each other and then decide who they want to get engaged to.
I can only imagine Cheryl Bradshaw would’ve welcomed those longer chats that the game show didn’t offer.
Anyway, Woman of the Hour brings this creepy episode of The Dating Game to the screen, with Anna Kendrick killing it as both the director and lead actress.
From Twilight to the Director’s Chair
Over the past several years, Kendrick has taken on numerous memorable roles that have each contributed to her growth in their own way.
Personally, the first ones that come to mind are the Twilight series and the Pitch Perfect trilogy, but I wouldn’t do Anna Kendrick justice by only mentioning those films.
She has also starred in The Accountant, A Simple Favor, and Alice, Darling.
Twilight
In the Twilight series, Kendrick played Jessica Stanley, a high school friend of Bella Swan in Forks.
Though her role was minimal in this beloved vampire saga, she brought humor and relatability to the character.
She even delivered the valedictorian speech, which literally brings tears to my eyes today.
Jessica might have been a small character, but she had a big impact in the grand scheme of things.
Reflecting on her time as Jessica, Kendrick admitted she felt more like a ‘fly on the wall’ to all the Twilight franchise pandemonium.
She may not have had the heavy responsibilities of a vampire or werewolf, but she’s still a recognizable character to my generation.
For me, it was one of the first things I saw her in, and it’s stuck ever since!
Pitch Perfect
Kendrick’s role as Beca Mitchell in the Pitch Perfect trilogy really solidified her spot as a leading lady.
Playing an aspiring DJ who reluctantly joins the Barden Bellas, her journey from rebellious freshman to confident leader mirrored Kendrick’s own rise in the industry.
Even though Pitch Perfect was fun, lighthearted, and all about the music—very different from the darker tone of Woman of the Hour—it was still a huge part of her growth.
The trilogy gave her the chance to really hone her skills in collaboration and learn how music can elevate a story, lessons that no doubt shaped how she approaches her work now, both as an actress and a director.
Plus, it opened up so many opportunities for her to explore new creative roles like directing!
The Accountant
In The Accountant, Kendrick portrayed Dana Cummings, an accountant who stumbles upon financial discrepancies within her company, leading her to team up with Ben Affleck’s character, a forensic accountant with autism.
This role showcased her ability to balance intelligence and vulnerability while navigating the film’s action-packed narrative.
While The Accountant differs too from Woman of the Hour, both films delve into how individuals make sense of their lives amidst chaos.
In Woman of the Hour, Kendrick shines a light on the personal stories and struggles of Rodney Alcala’s victims, emphasizing “the vastness and complexity of their lives beyond this one violent moment.”
Perhaps in The Accountant, Kendrick learned more about the importance of giving voice to diverse characters—like Affleck’s character—who often navigate a world that doesn’t fully understand them.
This understanding underlines her approach as a director by crafting narratives that touch home with viewers in her debut.
A Simple Favor
In A Simple Favor, Anna Kendrick plays Stephanie, a bubbly mommy vlogger whose life spirals into chaos after her glamorous friend mysteriously disappears.
The film cleverly joins dark humor with suspense, giving Kendrick the opportunity to explore the murky layers beneath seemingly simple lives.
This role gave her a solid platform to tackle complex character dynamics and unexpected twists, skills that probably helped to have in Woman of the Hour.
While A Simple Favor leans into a playful thriller vibe, Woman of the Hour takes a much darker turn, recounting the real-life horrors of Rodney Alcala.
Kendrick, now behind the camera, brings the same sense of tension and character depth to this film, where Cheryl Bradshaw’s fateful decision not to go on a date with Alcala becomes one of the chilling focal points.
Kendrick’s ability to tap into the enigma that is human nature—whether through humor or horror—makes her progression from actress to director feel natural.
Alice, Darling
Alice, Darling is a psychological thriller in which Anna Kendrick plays the titular character Alice.
The film is conceptualized around Alice’s emotionally abusive relationship with her boyfriend, Simon, and her struggle to break free from his manipulation.
As Alice goes on a getaway with her two close friends, she starts to unravel under the pressure of Simon’s control, and her friends begin to notice the downslide of her mental health.
The film delves into the effects of emotional manipulation, the mental toll of harmful relationships, and the courage needed to regain control of one’s life.
Compared to Kendrick’s previous roles, this was far from a comedic part to play.
Rather, it was a much more intimate and heavy film, giving Kendrick the chance to deliver a spectacularly raw and deeply emotional performance.
In Woman of the Hour, Kendrick probably took with her a deeper insight into directing stories that focus around psychological depth, human resilience, and survival, themes which appear through the perspective of Alcala’s victims.
Why Kendrick Is One to Remember
The movies Anna Kendrick stars in always seem to crush it.
Pitch Perfect boasts an 82% Rotten Tomatoes score, while A Simple Favor and Alice, Darling each sit at a strong 84%.
And Woman of the Hour has already hit an impressive 90% just days after its Netflix release.
Kendrick often takes center stage, whether as the lead or one of the main characters, and that spotlight has clearly set her up for success behind the camera, too.
If her track record as an actress is any indication, Woman of the Hour is just the beginning of her journey as a director.
As it settles into Netflix’s Top 10, I imagine she will have no shortage of potential projects landing on her plate.
Check out Kendrick and Daniel Zovatto, who play Rodney Alcala, who discuss the film with excitement and care.
Only Green Flags
As previously mentioned, Woman of the Hour is off to a great start in the reviews.
While there are some minor critiques regarding the length of the film and its predictability (it’s a true crime, people), overall, there seems to be a ton of support for Kendrick and her effort.
Here are some recent reviews.
As others have said she nailed the suspense of being a woman alone with a man with nefarious intentions. There was a lot of clear Fincher nods, but it felt more like a respect of style as opposed to an imitation.
DukeSilversTaint
For example, Kendrick and Zovatto filmed a scene in the parking lot of the series studio that truly captures this fear, making it palpable, something I especially felt as part of the female audience.
I think the movie did a good job in showing the balancing act women often feel forced into of “How much can I trust this man?” And particularly how aspiring actresses feel exploited and pushed around.
elinordash
In The Dating Game, Cheryl Bradshaw wasn’t viewed as a person with aspirations; instead, she was treated as someone to fill a spot for an hour.
This neglect and belief of insignificance could explain the lack of vetting for a bachelor with a criminal background.
Clever use of back and forth sequence of events. Great cinematography. Effective build up of tension. This being Kendrick’s directorial debut makes it all the more impressive.
Jennifer A
Although sporadic flashbacks are not for everyone, they’re impactful and set up the context of Alcala’s pattern of killing and eventual demise.
This film left a lasting impression on me, which is a sign of a good director in my book.
However, the only way to form your own opinion is to go and watch!
You are the woman of the hour, and this movie is your winning contestant.
You can find it on Netflix NOW.
Orlaith
October 28, 2024 at 1:21 pm
Reminded me how much I enjoy her work!