This article covers topics such as rape and sexual violence, which some individuals may find distressing.
Anna Kendrick, who starred in and directed the 2024 true-crime movieWoman of the Hour, admitted that she didn’t want to make any money off of the film.Woman of the Hourserves as Kendrick’s directorial debut and chronicles Sheryl Bradshaw’s 1978 appearance on the showThe Dating Game, whereone of the contestants would later be revealed as a serial killer. In addition to Kendrick, theWoman of the Hour’scastalso includes Daniel Zovatto, Autumn Best, Nicolette Robinson, and Tony Hale.
In an appearance on theCrime Junkie AFpodcast, Kendrick revealed thatshe never intendedWoman of the Hourto be a"money-making venture"for her, since it told the story of several horrific murders. Therefore, she says that she donated all of her earnings from the movie to RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) and the National Center for Victims of Crimes. Read Kendrick’s full quote below:
Eventually, Netflix bought the movie. But, it wasn’t until the week before TIFF that I thought, oh, the movie’s going to make money. We just barely made the deadline to get into TIFF, then it was like, there’s going to be money exchanging hands. I asked myself the question about, ‘Do you feel gross about this?’ And I did.
Why Anna Kendrick Didn’t Want To Make Money From Woman Of The Hour
Rodney Alcala Was A Real-Life Serial Killer
While Anna Kendrick plays Sheryl Bradshaw, the main character inWoman of the Hour, the film often cuts from her to serial killer Rodney Alcala, portrayed by Zovatto.Woman of the Hourdepicts Alcala’s crimes over many years, during which he travels across the United States killing women. While Alcala was eventually convicted of the murders of seven women and girls, theending ofWoman of the Hourpoints out that someauthorities estimate the true number of his victims to be closer to 130.
Sheryl got away from Alacala, but most of the other women inWoman of the Hourwere not as lucky.
InWoman of the Hour,Kendrick’s Sheryl also has an uncomfortable encounter withAlcala after filmingThe Dating Gamewith him. Luckily, Sheryl got away from Alacala, but most of the other women inWoman of the Hourwere not as lucky. Therefore, since Kendrick was telling the true story of many women being raped and murdered by Rodney Alcala inWoman of the Hour, she felt that it would be wrong for her to profit off of the film.
Our Take On Anna Kendrick Donating Her Woman Of The Hour Earnings To Charity
Since the true-crime genre has been on the rise in recent years, many writers and directors have been accused of profiting off of tragic real life stories which ruined lives and deeply affected families. Therefore,it is admirable that Kendrick had completely selfless intentions when makingWoman of the Hour. The two organizations Kendrick chose, RAINN and the National Center for Victims of Crimes, are both committed to supporting victims of rape and abuse, so the money she made fromWoman of the Hourwill go towards an important cause.
Woman of the Hour
Cast
Woman of the Hour is a biographical thriller directed by Anna Kendrick, who also stars in the film. The movie chronicles the infamous real-life story of Cheryl Bradshaw’s appearance on the 1978 edition of The Dating Game, where one of the contestants, Rodney Alcala, would later be revealed as a notorious serial killer. The film delves into the chilling intersection of entertainment and true crime.
