For true crime fans, Woman Of The Hour is a riveting thriller that is a must-watch.

It delves into the real life story of notorious serial killer Robert Alcala (Daniel Zovatto) and an unwitting contestant, Sheryl Bradshaw (Anna Kendrick), who encountered him at a dating game show in Hollywood, 1978.

At the time of Robert Alcala’s appearance on the show, he had murdered at least five women between 1976 and 1977 which later earned him the nickname “The Dating Game Killer”.

The film explores how Alcala exploited his good looks and charming demeanor to manipulate and murder as viewers are able to see how the killer concealed his true nature from the public, creating a portrait of a dangerous predator who thrived in plain sight and preyed on his victims.

Anna Kendrick, who is also the director, has been greatly applauded for her fantastic approach on the film.

Rather than sensationalizing Alcala’s crimes, she carefully depicts the horrors, but in a subtle manner and leaving most of the violent moments off-screen to focus more on the psychological impacts and thus avoiding glamourizing the killer.

Critics have also praised Kendrick for evoking the 1970s, creating a chilling effect for the viewer without indulging in excessive gore.

This approach focuses more on the societal critique rather than Alcala’s heinous actions, distinguishing it from other serial-killer media that risk sympathy for their subjects.

Social commentary plays a crucial role in the film allowing viewers to question society’s responsibility to put such perpetrators to justice.

Anna Kendrick and Daniel Zovatto deliver outstanding performances as they both add layers to the film thus making their characters captivating and believable.

The encounter between Kendrick’s and Zovatto’s characters respectively is seen to be delightful at first sight but slowly intensifies as Sheryl comes to the realization of Alcala’s true nature behind his charming façade.

As the viewer, it allows you to see the hidden depths individuals sometimes possess that are not immediately apparent.

In conclusion, Woman Of The Hour is a thought-provoking true-crime genre that allows the viewer to see through the lens of Alcala’s victims whose lives were trivialized by him and
reflecting on broader themes of exploitation and media responsibility.

Rating: 9/10