Anna Kendrick Directs Film on Chilling 1978 ‘Dating Game’ Experience

Hollywood actress Anna Kendrick has channeled her personal and professional experiences into her directorial debut with the upcoming film “Woman of the Hour.” The project is inspired by a harrowing true story involving serial killer Rodney Alcala, who appeared as a contestant on “The Dating Game” in 1978 and was chosen by contestant Cheryl Bradshaw, played by Kendrick in the film.

Kendrick, known for her roles in the “Pitch Perfect” and “Twilight” series, as well as an Oscar-nominated performance in “Up in the Air,” took up the director’s mantle after the project was left without one. The film, hitting Netflix on October 18, delves into the unsettling moment when Bradshaw unwittingly selected Alcala, a convicted felon, as her preferred date during the show. Alcala’s history included a conviction for raping an eight-year-old girl, and he was later sentenced to death for the murder of several women.

In a conversation about the film, Kendrick highlights the central theme of how women communicate fears and discomforts, especially concerning men, without explicitly stating them. “What is happening will be very clear to most women,” Kendrick observes, noting that the film avoids sensationalizing its heavy subject matter.

Kendrick’s personal experiences in the tumultuous Hollywood industry have subtly influenced “Woman of the Hour.” She recounts her early acting experiences, including a problematic audition scene in the film reminiscent of her own. “That is lifted verbatim from something that happened to me when I was 19,” Kendrick noted in discussions about the film’s content.

Turning to personal matters, Kendrick discusses her decision not to have children, attributing it partly to her perception of the world’s challenges. With themes from her 2016 book paralleling those in her directorial work, she continues to address the pressures faced by women in entertainment and beyond.

Through “Woman of the Hour,” Kendrick seeks to address difficult topics with nuance and respect for the real-life figures involved. “There’s something perverse and ironic about Woman of the Hour,” she says regarding the film’s title, referring to its portrayal of women’s experiences during the era of the “Dating Game.”