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Anna Kendrick’s directorial debut is sure to send chills down your spine and leave you with nightmares, especially if you’re a woman! TitledWoman of the Hour, this haunting film tells the chilling true story of serial killer Rodney Alcala.

Anna Kendrick in Woman of the Hour (2024) | Image via Netflix

Kendrick has done an exceptional job of capturing the horror of it all. Here’s a closer look at Alcala’s terrifying tale and how Kendrick approached this intense project.

How Rodney Alcala Terrorized an Entire Decade!

The climax ofAnna Kendrick‘sWoman of the Houris a nail-biter that keeps you glued to the screen. We feel a rush of relief as teen runaway Amy manages to outsmart the serial killer Rodney Alcala played by Daniel Zovatto and bravely turns him in to the authorities. But just when it seems like justice has triumphed, the credits roll to reveal a haunting reality, that Alcala will be released on bail and will continue his killing spree.

Woman of the Hour Review — Anna Kendrick’s Directorial Debut is a Riveting and Timely Crime Thriller That Captivates!

Rodney Alcala was no ordinary criminal, he was a real-life nightmare, convicted of eight murders across New York, California, and Wyoming between 1971 and 1979, with suspicions pointing to over 100 victims. Disguising himself as a fashion photographer, he would charm women with compliments, only to lure them into a trap for his twisted photo shoots.

According perBBC, in 1980, he faced a death sentence for the murder of 12-year-old Robin Samsoe, but his conviction was overturned, leading to a series of retrials. It wasn’t until 2010 that he finally received a guilty verdict for Samsoe and four others. While behind bars, he even penned a book insisting he was innocent.

Woman of the Hour Review — Anna Kendrick’s Directorial Debut is a Riveting and Timely Crime Thriller That Captivates!

In 2012, Alcala was extradited to New York for two additional murders, where he pled guilty and was handed a 25-to-life sentence. By 2016, he was connected to the murder of Christine Ruth Thornton through one of his infamous photos. Alcala lived until 2021, passing away at 77 from natural causes in a California hospital.

The Shocking Truth Behind Anna Kendrick’sWoman of the Hour

The creepiest part in all of this? He actually appeared on a dating show and snagged a date! It sounds almost unbelievable, but the film’s portrayal of his encounter with contestant Bradshaw onThe Dating Gameis straight from reality.

“Holy s—t. I just remembered I was in Twilight”: Anna Kendrick Forced Herself To Forget Traumatic Robert Pattinson Film That Made Her Famous

At the time he appeared on the show, Alcala had already murdered at least three women, and shockingly, he went on to kill at least two more after his TV debut.

In the film, Alcala’s downfall comes courtesy of Amy, the runaway he picks up in San Gabriel. As soon as they stop at a gas station, she makes a break for it and gets help. In the heart of the desert, Alcala finally gets his comeuppance when he’s arrested. Speaking of her approach as a director, Anna Kendrick revealed in a chat withTudumabout the film,

Woman of the Hour Daniel Zovatto as Rodney Alcala. Photograph: Leah Gallo/Netflix

It felt important to me to connect these women to nature for several reasons, but one of which was, I kind of wanted to put them in places that spoke to the vastness of their life beyond this moment, It’s a 90-minute movie. There’s only so much screen time that everybody can have. And I wanted — in spite of the way that we’re meeting them — I wanted their environment to reflect the beauty and the fullness of their whole life before that and what they should have had after.

This film is definitely a must-watch! Kendrick has truly excelled in her role as director, delivering a phenomenal piece of work.

“Holy s—t. I just remembered I was in Twilight”: Anna Kendrick Forced Herself To Forget Traumatic Robert Pattinson Film That Made Her Famous

Woman of the Houris now streaming on Netflix.

Sampurna Banerjee

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Sampurna Banerjee is an Entertainment Writer at FandomWire, and she’s written over 1,700 articles! She covers everything from celebrity news to the latest superhero buzz, streaming shows, and fan theories. If it’s trending in pop culture, Sampurna’s probably already on it.When she’s not working, you’ll probably find her rewatching The Office (again), getting into debates about Marvel’s timeline, or diving deep into Christopher Nolan movies for the hundredth time. She’s not just writing about entertainment, she’s living it.

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Anna Kendrick

Armand Cerami, Jed Mills, and Rodney Alcala in The Dating Game (1965)