This article contains references to murder and sexual assault.
Woman of the hour is a true crime thriller, but his approach to the material is quite unique. The movie, which begins streaming Oct. 18 on Netflix, follows aspiring actress Cheryl Bradshaw as she negotiates stardom in 1970s Los Angeles before landing a guest spot on The dating gameWhere she is thrown into the path of one Rodney Alcala. Alcala, known as the “Dating Game Killer” in real life, was eventually convicted on 5 counts of murder and 2 counts of rape, all part of a violent (and allegedly much deadlier) crime spree that occurred even as he flirted with Cheryl on National television.
Anna Kendrick does double duty, not only playing Cheryl but also directing Woman of the hour. The crime thriller, written by Ian MacDonald, turns her innocent quest for fame with Alcala’s (played by David Zovetto of Station Eleven) much more evil hunt for his next victim. But Cheryl isn’t the only woman whose story is highlighted, and the film also stars Nicolette Robinson as Laura, Autumn Best as Amy, and Kathryn Gallagher as Charlie. Each character’s arc, whether they are based on a real victim or not, has a lesson to offer about society’s tendency to overlook danger rather than actively protect women from harm.
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ShCreepy rant Interviewed Robinson, Best and Gallagher about their admiration for Anna Kendrick doubling as lead actress and director in Woman of the hour. The trio also discussed how they stepped into their respective characters, what elements helped them better portray the 1970s — and how, despite the movie’s “true crime” tag, the themes are just as relevant today.
Music and costumes set the scene for Woman of the Hour – but the live experience was first and foremost
“The film takes place in the ’70s, but that element … is still deeply present today.”
Screen Rant: I think this is such a fascinating film, and I didn’t know it was a true story. Did you each have a way in the time period?
Nicolette Robinson: Music, for sure. Also for me, I feel like costumes and wardrobe really can instantly transport you. It’s really incredible. Once this is introduced, you just become the person in a way.
Kathryn Gallagher: I mean, we’re here in London. We crossed the street from Whiskey [a Go Go]I think that was my first thought when you said that. The doors are in their 60th anniversary. They have already started there.
Screen Rant: Nicolette, Laura highlights those who tried to sound the alarm bells and were ignored. Can you speak to the larger impact, both in terms of ignoring red flags and also societal failures?
Nicolette Robinson: You can see it everywhere. The film took place in the 70s, but the element of the film is still very much present today. Certainly, I feel like I have had my dose of experiencing that in my own personal life. But to actually walk through and walk in Laura’s shoes, it’s terrifying.
I hope that people can come away from watching this film and have more of an awareness of it. I think it starts with that, the awareness between men and women, and just hopefully empowering women to really step into themselves and honor their instincts.
Screen Rant: Autumn, what is your approach to Amy, which shows both restraint and bravery at once?
Autumn Best: Thank you. I definitely just pulled from a lot of my own life experiences because I feel like the character is so similar to me as a person. I grew up very religious, and that’s why I grew up very good at containing and very good at filtering my own feelings and my own instincts. I really didn’t have to do that much digging to find Amy because she’s here with me.
And then a lot of the physical stuff comes from costumes and comes from [the fact that] I love to journal on set and sketch on set to take in the physical landscape and be in my physical body. That really helps me. It’s really just a lot of sitting with yourself and having difficult conversations with yourself.
Woman of the Hour stars praise Anna Kendrick’s directorial vision
“We just felt like we were in really capable, passionate hands.”
Screen Rant: Kathryn, did you have conversations with Anna about the role of Charlie that helped you frame her story?
Kathryn Gallagher: Absolutely. I think Anna was so thoughtful and intentional throughout the whole process. She really knew exactly what to say and was very open to any question, and she created a set that was so safe to try things in, which I think is the key to feeling confident enough to give a good performance. She was just a real team player.
We all come from theater, and Anna is, of course, one of the youngest Tony nominees ever. So, I think we’re all pretty used to being on our feet and trying new things.
Screen Rant: Was there anything that stood out to you most about Anna wearing all the different hats?
Nicolette Robinson: Oh, my God. Well, it’s a mutual fan club. We can’t stop talking about her. She’s incredible. She’s just so creative, and she just knows how to film. She’s been doing it for so long and has such a love of film, so we just felt like we were in really capable, passionate hands.
Autumn Best: She was also so humble. She was just so honest about her feelings and honest about how she was feeling that day, and that really helped bring everyone’s walls down a little bit. And she is also a problem solver. She is the best she can think so quickly on her feet. It’s really impressive.
Nicolette Robinson: And you just see her on set in her hair with her curlers ready because she’s also in the film. [It’s] Crazy and wild to see this beautiful, passionate woman just telling everyone on set what to do. She’s amazing.
More about Woman of the Hour (2024)
The stranger-than-fiction story of an aspiring actress in 1970s Los Angeles and a serial killer in the midst of a year-long killing spree, whose lives intersect when they are cast on an episode of The Dating Game.
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Source: Screen Rant Plus