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Woman Of The Hour is based upon real events – largely taking place in the late ’70s – and opens with one of a number of murders carried out by serial killer Rodney Alcala (Daniel Zovatto – The Pope’s Exorcist), an individual who’d strangle women to near-death, wait until they regain consciousness, and then repeat the process until they’re eventually dead.
Amidst the film showing him carry this out over a variety of time periods, we’re introduced to aspiring actress Sheryl Bradshaw (Anna Kendrick – who also makes her feature-length directorial debut), failing one audition after another, but her agent has her down for a guest spot on a TV show… but it’s The Dating Game, best known in the UK as Blind Date.
Our version alternated between men and women in the hot seat, but here, as the ‘woman of the hour’, she’ll be doing the choosing, and bachelor No.3 just happens to be Alcala, which we’re made aware from the premise, so don’t worry, that’s not a spoiler.
I kept wondering whether we’d end up in a position of trying to escape from the killer, but as I hadn’t come across the case before, I didn’t know if she’d pick him from the trio, and for the outcome of all that, you’ll need to watch to find out for yourself.
Overall, Ms Kendrick’s film is well-directed and neatly-paced in trying to get to the bottom of capturing the killer while there’s still a chance, while Zovatto does a very good job of being Creepy McCreepface.
Woman Of The Hour also doesn’t overstay its welcome, given that it runs for just 90 mintues before the end credits start. Most other movies, take note!
Overall, I have no complaints at all with Woman Of The Hour. It’s a well-balanced thriller that does what it’s meant to, but while it tells an important tale, it won’t rock your movie-watching world.
Note: There is no mid- or post-credits scene in this film.
Woman Of The Hour is on Netflix now, but isn’t yet available to pre-order on Blu-ray or DVD. However, once announced, it will appear on the New DVD Blu-ray 3D and 4K releases UK list.
Detailed specs:
Cert: 
Running time: 95 minutes
Release date: October 18th 2024
Studio: Netflix
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1
Rating: 7.5/10
Director: Anna Kendrick
Producers: Roy Lee, JD Lifshitz, Raphael Margules, Russ Posternak, Vindhya Sagar, Miri Yoon
Screenplay: Ian McDonald
Music: Dan Romer, Mike Tuccillo
Cast:
Sheryl Bradshaw: Anna Kendrick
Rodney Alcala: Daniel Zovatto
Ed: Tony Hale
Laura: Nicolette Robinson
Terry: Pete Holmes
Amy: Autumn Best
Charlie: Kathryn Gallagher
Sarah: Kelley Jakle
Josh Young (Bachelor #1): Matt Visser
Arnie Aslan (Bachelor #2): Jedidiah Goodacre
Custodian (George Elliot): Rob Morton
Mario: Dylan Schmid
Gretchen: Karen Holness
Marilyn: Denalda Williams
Lisa: Jessie Fraser
Casting Director: Matty Finochio
Casting Director: Geoff Gustafson
Ken: Max Lloyd-Jones
Bob: Andy Thompson
Diane: Nancy Kerr
Joe: James Yi
Helen: Jessica Chaffin
Mark: Matthew Kevin Anderson
Melanie: Taylor Hastings
Rodney’s Boss: David Beairsto
Marty: Darcy Laurie
Reviewer of movies, videogames and music since 1994. Aortic valve operation survivor from the same year. Running DVDfever.co.uk since 2000. Nobel Peace Prize winner 2021.