Woman of the Hour

I thought the acting and directing were excellent. Really impressed with Anna Kendrick. The movie was very good. I wish it was a little longer and had a few more twists. A few scenes were really amazing including the part where they show the dating game and the part afterwards. Saw the movies today at the TIFF and seemed as though that everyone really enjoyed it despite the serious subject matter. It would have been so great of there was no strike and the actors could have taken part today. One of the producers was there and read a note from Anna which was well received. I would recommend seeing this film.

This film does a good job of revealing the ways psychopaths often use charm to lure their victims. I appreciate the fact that the film is by no means a typical horror film or a typical psychological thriller. Most of the violent acts in this film are only portrayed via the events leading up to them (or after them), and so much of the actual violence is indirectly portrayed rather than actually being shown. It keeps things light enough -- and doesn't show enough actual violence -- in order for the film to remain watchable but at the same time, it is often very unsettling and disturbing. The scene in the parking lot after the taping of the Dating Game really perfectly conveyed the same feeling that the character played by Anna would be feeling at the time. It's as though I could literally feel her own fear and uneasiness. I think Anna's acting and directing in this film were superb, as was all of the acting in general. What I appreciate most about this film is its underlying message(s) or themes regarding how women can so easily fall prey to the darker side of the male ego and how manipulative some men can be when it comes to women, such as exploiting the innocence or vulnerability of women for their own selfish gain. I also appreciate how it shoes that society in general (and especially back then) actually encourages and often condones this kind of treatment toward women -- dehumanizing and objectifying them. And as the film shows, even intelligent women are susceptible to the charm of the psychopath -- and society alone can render them vulnerable. This message was not only delivered via the behavior and violence of "Rodney" but also via the behavior of a few other male characters in the film. Anyone hoping for a typical serial killer film is going to be disappointed with this one. But anyone hoping for something with more underlying depth will hopefully appreciate it.

I ended up being really frustrated watching this given the fact that I thought it had a really good hook. In the end the whole thing just ends up feeling like a series of short films only a couple of which I found to be engaging and when put together into one film it just ends up feeling repetitive. That's not to say it isn't effective, it is absolutely appropriately brutal its depiction of violence towards women but also in how it portrays the sexism of the 70's. The main thing that intrigued me about this movie was the idea of the game show portion and that ended feeling really undercooked and in the overall narrative it didn't ultimately amount to much. There are very effective sequences and it's very handsomely shot but it's so uneven that I couldn't help but feel disappointed in the final product.

Short: This story shows promise but ultimately falls short due to a lack of crucial details that could have elevated it to greatness. The narrative includes numerous anecdotes, but they feel disconnected, leaving the plot disjointed. The film abruptly concludes, leaving many questions unanswered and the audience unsatisfied. Overall, it comes across as a low-budget effort that fails to fully develop its potential.

Long: Women of the Hour is a psychological thriller inspired by the true story of Rodney Alcala, the infamous "Dating Game Killer." Set in the late 1970s, the film explores the chilling intersection of entertainment and crime as Alcala appears as a contestant on a popular dating show while actively committing heinous murders.

The story is ambitious, delving into themes of manipulation, the public's fascination with spectacle, and the danger of appearances. However, the execution leaves much to be desired. While the movie attempts to blend dark humor with a critique of the era's obsession with celebrity culture, the fragmented storytelling undermines its impact. Anecdotes from Alcala's life are presented, but they feel scattered and fail to create a cohesive narrative. As a result, the film struggles to maintain tension or provide a deeper understanding of its characters.

The abrupt ending compounds these issues, leaving key questions unanswered and robbing the story of a satisfying resolution. The lack of connective tissue between events gives the impression of a rushed, underdeveloped script, despite its intriguing premise. Furthermore, the film's low-budget production values are evident, detracting from its potential impact.

While Women of the Hour has an interesting concept and moments of potential, it ultimately falls short of being the gripping thriller it aims to be. With more detailed storytelling and stronger character development, it could have been a standout piece.

I've always liked Anna Kendrick, I consider her a good actress, but until now she had played roles mainly in comedies or dramatic films, so I was surprised to see her not only as the protagonist, but also as the director of a dark thriller based on a true story and I was also surprised to see that as a director, Anna did a good job.

The film flows very well, the tension is constant and the cast does a great job, from Kendrick to Daniel Zovatto, absolutely perfect in the role of the crazy Rodney Alcala.

Zovatto fits perfectly into the role of this psychopath and the moments in which he tries to charm women before killing them, really give you the shivers, also thanks, as mentioned, to the solid and no-frills direction of Kendrick.

In conclusion, a very interesting film that I recommend, among the few truly good films released this year on Netflix.