Anna Kendrick
Sheryl Bradshaw
Overview
An aspiring actress crosses paths with a prolific serial killer in '70s LA when they're cast on an episode of "The Dating Game."
Cast
12 people
Reviews
5 min readThe Gaze That Knows Too Much
I’ve rewatched the tiki-bar scene three times now, and each time I feel the same prickle at the back of my neck. Sheryl Bradshaw—played by Anna Kendrick in a performance that’s all quiet, coiled tension—sits across from Rodney Alcala, the man who would later be known as the Dating Game Killer. The camera lingers on her face, not his.
We see her eyes flicker, her smile tighten just a fraction. She’s reading him. Or trying to.
And in that moment, Woman of the Hour does something rare for a true-crime thriller: it makes the act of looking dangerous.
Kendrick’s directorial debut isn’t interested in the gore or the police procedural beats we’ve come to expect from stories about serial killers. Instead, it fixates on the gaze—who gets to look, who gets looked at, and what happens when those roles reverse. The film’s most unsettling moments aren’t the ones where violence is shown, but the ones where it’s implied through a shift in eye contact, a pause too long, a woman realizing she’s being studied like prey.
It’s a choice that feels deliberate, almost personal. Kendrick has spoken about how the project forced her to confront her own experiences with being objectified in Hollywood, and that discomfort seeps into every frame. This isn’t just a story about a killer; it’s a story about the women who see him before anyone else does.
The film’s structure mirrors its themes. We meet Sheryl in 1978 Los Angeles, an aspiring actress auditioning for The Dating Game, the campy, flirtatious TV show where a bachelorette quizzes three bachelors hidden behind a wall before picking one for a date. The premise is absurd, almost farcical—until it isn’t.
Rodney Alcala, playing the part of the charming photographer, wins the date. The real Cheryl Bradshaw refused to go out with him after the show, sensing something off. The film fictionalizes that refusal, turning it into a slow-burn cat-and-mouse game where Sheryl’s instincts become her only weapon.
Audience Opinions
Audience 6.7/10
"A gripping but uneven true-crime drama with strong performances that struggle against a slow-burn narrative."
Anna Kendrick’s portrayal of Cheryl Bradshaw anchors the film, earning praise for its depth and authenticity. However, the pacing and reliance on familiar crime-drama tropes leave some viewers wanting more originality or tighter storytelling. latestnetflix.com's read is that the supporting cast often fades into the background, making the central relationship the primary draw.
What viewers praise
- Powerful lead performance Anna Kendrick delivers a compelling and nuanced portrayal of Cheryl Bradshaw, drawing viewers into the story.
- Tense atmosphere The film’s moody visuals and suspenseful moments create an engaging true-crime vibe.
- Authentic true-crime feel The grounded approach to the real-life events resonates with fans of the genre.
Common complaints
- Slow pacing The deliberate build-up frustrates some, who find the middle act drags before the payoff.
- Underdeveloped side characters Supporting roles lack depth, making the story feel overly reliant on Kendrick’s performance.
- Predictable plot The familiar crime-drama structure makes it easy to guess key twists early on.
Recommended for
True-crime drama enthusiasts Anna Kendrick fans Slow-burn thriller lovers 1970s crime story buffs
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsAnna Kendrick Steps Behind the Camera for Chilling True-Crime Debut in Woman of the Hour
Anna Kendrick trades her signature comedic charm for a darker, more personal role in Woman of the Hour, her directorial debut that dives into the twisted true story of Rodney Alcala, the so-called "Dating Game Killer." latestnetflix.com's view is that The Netflix thriller, which premiered in 2024, marks a bold shift for Kendrick, who not only directs but also stars as Sheryl Bradshaw, a contestant on the 1970s dating show The Dating Game who unknowingly crossed paths with a serial killer.
From Comedy to Crime: Kendrick’s Directorial Gamble
Kendrick’s pivot to directing wasn’t just a creative whim—it was a deeply personal project. In interviews, she’s described Woman of the Hour as her "most revealing" film yet, pulling from her own "absurd" experiences in Hollywood to craft a story that blurs the line between horror and dark comedy 
. The film’s tone is a stark departure from her usual work, trading quippy rom-com energy for a slow-burn thriller that leans into the unsettling reality of Alcala’s crimes.
The movie’s script, written by Ian McDonald, is based on the true story of Alcala’s 1978 appearance on The Dating Game, where he won a date with contestant Cheryl Bradshaw (renamed Sheryl in the film). Bradshaw famously refused to go out with him after the show, sensing something off—a gut instinct that likely saved her life. Alcala, who was later convicted of multiple murders, was executed in 2021 .
The Cast Brings the Creep Factor
Kendrick isn’t the only familiar face in Woman of the Hour. The film’s ensemble includes Veep’s Tony Hale as Ed, the show’s host, and The Office’s Pete Holmes in a supporting role. But the standout performance might belong to Daniel Zovatto, who plays Rodney Alcala with eerie charm, embodying the killer’s unsettling mix of charisma and menace 
.
The rest of the cast—Nicolette Robinson, Jedidiah Goodacre, Autumn Best, Kelley Jakle, Kathryn Gallagher, and Matt Visser—round out the dating show contestants and crew, each adding layers to the film’s tense atmosphere. Reviews have praised Kendrick’s ability to balance the film’s darker themes with moments of dark humor, though some critics note the tonal shifts can feel uneven .
What’s Real—and What’s Hollywood?
While Woman of the Hour sticks closely to the real-life events, it does take some creative liberties. The film condenses timelines, alters some character names, and adds fictionalized dialogue to heighten the drama. For example, the real Cheryl Bradshaw never had a romantic subplot with another contestant, but the movie introduces one to add emotional stakes .
Kendrick has been vocal about the challenges of adapting such a disturbing story, especially one that hits close to home. In a Rolling Stone interview, she described the project as a way to process her own experiences with toxic relationships, framing the film as both a thriller and a character study .
A Risk That Mostly Pays Off
Critics have been divided on Woman of the Hour, with some praising Kendrick’s bold direction and others finding the film’s tone inconsistent. The ABC News review called it a "convincing" shift into darker territory, though it noted the film’s pacing can drag in places . Meanwhile, Deadline highlighted Kendrick’s ability to draw from her own Hollywood experiences to ground the story in something personal .
Whether Woman of the Hour becomes a breakout hit or a cult favorite remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Kendrick isn’t afraid to take risks. After years of being typecast as the lovable rom-com lead, she’s proving she can tackle true crime with the same intensity she brings to her performances.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.
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