Anna Kendrick is one such well-established presence in Hollywood, with credits ranging from Pitch Perfect to Up in the Air. Now, however, this multi talented star has turned director for her latest film, Woman of the Hour-a true-crime drama that delves into one chilling fact about Rodney Alcala, who sometime in the 1970s, managed to appear on The Dating Game. The project therefore is a new page turning into Kendrick’s life but at the same time proving to turn out to be an experience and even more intimate and emotionally revealing than she expected.
Recently, Kendrick spoke to Variety, discussing how Woman of the Hour pushed her vulnerability to new limits, drawing a comparison to her 2016 memoir, Scrappy Little Nobody. “I thought writing my memoir would be the most revealing thing I ever did,” she said. “But directing a film like this, where every frame is part of me, is a different kind of exposure.”
For Kendrick, the connection to the material ran far deeper than just telling some kind of crime story-it was about issues of objectification and exploitation, both of which feel very personal. “This story is so much about women being reduced to objects or prizes,” she said, “and I’ve felt that in my own life. Directing was a way for me to explore those feelings in a way I couldn’t with acting alone.”
Kendrick felt a strong connection to the script, which inspired her to helm the film. She was attached as an actress but loved it so much that she pushed to direct herself. “I couldn’t let go of the idea that I needed to tell this story my way,” she shared.
The director of the film states that it was quite nerve-wracking to play the role of the Woman of the Hour. “There were moments when I was terrified, you know?” she says. “But that fear was what made the experience so rewarding. You’re putting a part of yourself out there in every shot, and that’s terrifying but also exhilarating.”
Overall, Kendrick’s entrance into directing has been welcomed with acclaim as many label Woman of the Hour a bold and daring first effort. With new and innovative projects, Kendrick continues to raise the bar in her line of work, revealing that her talent extends far beyond the screen and into every frame of her directorial vision.
