October is home to many awareness months, including Domestic Violence Awareness Month, which makes it the ideal month for Netflix to release Anna Kendrick’s directorial debut “Woman of the Hour” — a film that Kendrick didn’t make any money on.
On a recent episode of the popular true-crime podcast “Crime Junkie” on which Kendrick appeared, host Ashley Flowers stated she was surprised to learn that Kendrick didn’t make any money on the film.
“There are really valid ethical questions surrounding true crime,” said Kendrick.
“It was never a money-making venture for me, but it wasn’t until the week before the Toronto Film Festival that I thought ‘Oh, the movie is going to make money, there is going to be money exchanging hands.’ And I asked myself if I felt gross about this and I did.”
“Woman of the Hour” premiered at the 2023 TIFF and Netflix eventually picked it up. TIFF is like many festivals of its kind– a place where studios and people can see movies that are available to buy for distribution.
“So, I am not making money off the movie. The money has gone to RAINN and the National Center of Victims of Violent Crime. It’s a complicated area and it felt like the least that I can do.”
The film, which stars Kendrick and Daniel Zovatto, is based on the crimes of Rodney James Alcala, who was a serial killer and convicted sex offender for crimes committed in the 1970s. Alcala was a photographer who would use this profession to prey on both men and women, asking them to pose in sexually explicit ways. During these photo shoots, he would assault his victims.
True crime junkies will recognize Alcala as “The Dating Game” killer as he appeared on the television dating show during his murder spree in 1978. Introduced as a “successful photographer that you may find skydiving or motorcycling between takes,” Alcala won the game, with the “prize” of a date with the episode’s bachelorette, Cheryl Bradshaw. Bradshaw ultimately refused to go on the date with Alcala because she found him “creepy.”
You can listen to Kendrick’s interview on Crime Junkie here.
“Woman of the Hour” is now streaming on Netflix.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse of any kind, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline (U.S.) at 800-799-7233, or text START to 88788. You can also visit their website.
