Anna Kendrick Showcases Real-World Horrors in ‘Woman of the Hour’

Woman of the Hour (2024)

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½

Woman of the Hour is a 70’s timepiece horror film that stars Anna Kendrick as an unexpected dating show contestant, with her slot on the show creating a tense twist as she is unknowingly matched with a serial killer. The film is based on a harrowing true story, which was portrayed with accuracy and attention to detail. The plot is captivating from the very start, and the film makes sure to capture intense moments with steady draw-ins and a great sense of direction throughout. Kendrick’s acting is brought to the scene even deeper with her exceptional directorial skills - and it’s clear to see that women are the ones who should be directing films about cases like the one portrayed within the film.

True crime movies can feel notoriously full of gimmicks or exploitative practices, but Woman of the Hour is not your average true crime film. Anna Kendrick’s entire paycheck from the film was donated to RAINN (Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network) and the National Center for Victims of Crime, which was an elaborate choice made by the actress as she felt it would be in bad taste to personally profit from a film based on real victims and criminal acts [1]. The film is something that uses its content wisely in order to create an educational and tasteful narrative surrounding a heinous true case - and it’s a wonderfully refreshing take on the true crime genre without being even slightly exploitative.

The importance of a lack of exploitation runs deep in a film like this especially, and the overall theme of retro dating shows is something that put women in a deeply uncomfortable and negative space to begin with - meaning that the overall messages of the film are presented in an even more tense  manner with additional context provided. Being able to feel the emotions of each character as well as the tension in each situation they are placed in makes for a gripping film experience, and the movie does everything right while making an important impact on the film industry and what voices need to be heard the most. 

Themes of misogyny and sexism in the entertainment industry are no stranger to Woman of the Hour, and the entire plot of the film relies on the instabilities in society that women have faced for decades. Women’s voices are tested and questioned with real-world scenarios seeping through a traditional film structure, and the intensity in which these drastically real themes are tackled makes them impossible to ignore. The harsh realities of victim-blaming, endangerment, objectification, and the lack of support that victims of assault are given are showcases in a way without sugar coatings or shallow thought, and the sheer magnitude in which these themes are brought about is something that many films could learn from. 

The film is tense from the very beginning, and it's a movie that works its plot through careful consideration and gripping pacing that makes it nearly impossible to turn away. The oftentimes stressful atmosphere of the film adds a layer of tension that many other films struggle to capture on this scale, and it's no wonder as to why Woman of the Hour has become such a widely recognized and acclaimed film since its release two years ago. The impact in which the film has made is wildly impressive for something that was slotted for a Netflix release, and it goes to show how well thought streaming companies can choose to be with the right people grappling the reigns and sailing the ships.

Anna Kendrick works exceptionally well as both the director and lead of the film, with her performance being incredibly expressive and well-suited to the era in which the movie depicts. The deeply troubling atmosphere of the film is constantly challenged through bright colours and unique storytelling choices, but the darkest corners of the film experiment with dull lighting and set pieces that make the film feel that much more immersive. It's the kind of movie that you can feel through every directorial choice, and each element of the sets and story are very clearly intentional.

Throughout the film's 94-minute runtime, the perspectives and experiences of various victims are showcased and elaborated on - with the film's unique multi-perspective lens changing the narrative and keeping the plot fluid while tying into core themes that are addressed and expanded upon as the film progresses. The resulting format is something that keeps the tone and pacing of the film active and engaging, and it makes the movie feel much more true to life rather than focusing on one static plot point without development.

The timepiece feel of the film is heightened by accurate colour grading and aesthetic choices that were made with great intentions. Scenes in Woman of the Hour often contrast one another while keeping things consistent and close together, and the larger focus on atmosphere and character building means that each member of the diverse cast gets to shine in their roles. Anna Kendrick works incredibly well as the leading star of the film, and supporting actors and actresses are what gave the film the depth that it managed to pull off. 

Such a haunting story is often hard to get right, but Woman of the Hour uses unique and interesting execution and exceptional pacing to make itself stand out from other films in similar genres. True-story horror films are often a shot in the dark, which means that seeing something so well researched is wildly refreshing. The film is made much more intense when given the context of the story in which it is presenting, and the usage of real information surrounding the case makes the entire film that much more harrowing to watch unfold.

Woman of the Hour is a film that accurately portrays the objectification and exploitation of women in a chilling manner. It’s a deeply harrowing film due to how true it is to the real world - and it makes sure to utilize its story to showcase the experience of female victims on a very serious scale. Films that touch on women’s issues in the entertainment industry are especially rare, and they’re more important than many people may care to realize. In recent years, women's stories have been taking the lead in film, with stories of abuse, exploitation, and entertainment taking the stage and opening up new borders for what is showcased on the big screen. 

This female-led film touches on real, prevalent horrors that women in society go through, and the tone of the movie is consistently tense and off-putting from the very first scene until the bone chilling end. Rarely is a film able to give me goosebumps when the credits roll, but Woman of the Hour was a rare case of true crime done right in every way.

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Sources Cited:

[1] Youngs, I. (2024). Woman of the Hour: Anna Kendrick donates fee from hit true crime film. [online] 30 Oct. Available at: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crk4ezvp2v7o.

Wikipedia Contributors (2025). Woman of the Hour. Wikipedia.