Woman of the Hour explained

Director:Anna Kendrick
Cinematography:Zach Kuperstein
Distributor:Netflix
Runtime:94 minutes
Country:United States
Language:English

Woman of the Hour is a 2023 American period crime thriller film directed by Anna Kendrick in her directorial debut and written by Ian MacAllister McDonald. It is based on the life of serial killer Rodney Alcala, who in 1978 appeared on the television show The Dating Game in the midst of his murder spree. The film revolves around the events of the game show and stars Kendrick as contestant Cheryl Bradshaw.

Woman of the Hour premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 8, 2023 and will be released on October 11, 2024 by VVS Films in Canada.[1] [2]

Synopsis

In 1978, serial killer Rodney Alcala appeared on The Dating Game and won a date with bachelorette Cheryl Bradshaw. At the time, Alcala had murdered five women, and his strange facade during the episode later nicknamed him "The Dating Game Killer".

Cast

Production

In December 2017, Ian MacAllister McDonald's screenplay Rodney and Sheryl was featured on the Black List, an annual survey of the most popular scripts yet to be produced.[6] In May 2021, Netflix announced it had bought a package around McDonald's script with Chloe Okuno on board as director and Anna Kendrick attached to star.[7] In April 2022, with Netflix no longer attached, the film was sold at the Cannes Film Festival.[8] It was revealed that Kendrick was now on board as director and producer as well as appearing as Cheryl Bradshaw, with the working title of the project now The Dating Game.[9] [10] In December 2022, a producer sued another producer for alleged fraud and breach of contract; The Dating Game was one of three films mentioned in the lawsuit.[11]

Principal photography took place in Vancouver with Zach Kuperstein as cinematographer from October to December 2022.[12]

Release

Woman of the Hour premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 8, 2023, with Kendrick and the cast unable to attend due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike.[13] [14] Shortly after, Netflix, which was to distribute the film worldwide early in its development, reacquired distribution rights to the United States as well as some international territories for $11 million.[15] [16] The film is scheduled for a theatrical release in Canada on October 11, 2024 by VVS Films.

AGC Studios sold international rights to the film; among the companies which acquired the film were VVS Films in Canada, Signature Entertainment in the United Kingdom and Ireland, Roadshow Films in Australia and New Zealand, Empire Entertainment in South Africa, Kino Świat in Poland, Sahamongkol Film International in Thailand, Central Partnership in the CIS, Telepool in Germany and Lionsgate in India and Sri Lanka.[17] [18]

Accolades

Notes and References

  1. Web site: D'Alessandro . Anthony . 2023-07-24 . TIFF Lineup Unveiled Amid Strikes: Awards Contenders 'Dumb Money', 'The Holdovers', 'Rustin'; Starry Pics For Sale With Scarlett Johansson, Kate Winslet, Michael Keaton, Viggo Mortensen & More . 2023-07-24 . Deadline . en-US.
  2. Web site: Woman of the Hour . 2023-07-24 . TIFF . en.
  3. Web site: Station 11s Daniel Zovatto To Co-Star In Anna Kendrick's Directorial Debut The Dating Game. October 28, 2022. Justin. Kroll. Deadline Hollywood. February 18, 2023.
  4. Web site: Bell . BreAnna . 2022-12-16 . Tony Hale Joins Anna Kendrick's Directorial Debut Feature The Dating Game, Co-Starring Alongside Daniel Zovatto and Nicolette Robinson (EXCLUSIVE) . 2023-02-07 . Variety.
  5. Web site: Tony Hale Joins Anna Kendrick's Directorial Debut Feature The Dating Game, Co-Starring Alongside Daniel Zovatto and Nicolette Robinson (Exclusive). December 16, 2022. BreAnna. Bell. Variety. February 18, 2023.
  6. Web site: The Black List 2017 Screenplays: Post-WWII Tale Ruin Is No. 1 – Full Rankings. December 11, 2017. Patrick. Hipes. Deadline Hollywood. https://web.archive.org/web/20210219235409/https://deadline.com/2017/12/2017-black-list-scripts-ranking-list-screenplays-1202222558/. February 19, 2021. live. May 27, 2021.
  7. Web site: Anna Kendrick, Director Chloe Okuno In Netflix Movie Package Rodney & Sheryl; True Story Of Woman Who Chose A Serial Killer On TV's The Dating Game. May 27, 2021. Mike Jr.. Fleming. Deadline Hollywood. https://web.archive.org/web/20210527205848/https://deadline.com/2021/05/anna-kendrick-the-dating-game-serial-killer-movie-netflix-chloe-okuno-rodney-alcala-1234765420/. May 27, 2021. live. May 27, 2021.
  8. Web site: Anna Kendrick True Crime Thriller About The Dating Game Killer Heads To Cannes Market For AGC & It Producer Vertigo. April 29, 2022. Andreas. Wiseman. Deadline Hollywood. May 1, 2022.
  9. Web site: Anna Kendrick Sets Directorial Debut With True Crime Thriller The Dating Game. September 7, 2022. Zac. Ntim. Deadline Hollywood. September 7, 2022.
  10. Web site: TIFF: Anna Kendrick's Directorial Debut The Dating Game Sells Wide. September 20, 2022. Scott. Roxborough. The Hollywood Reporter. February 18, 2023.
  11. Web site: One Producer Sues Others Over Unpaid Commissions On Trio Of Films Starring Chris Pine, Anna Kendrick & Kate Beckinsale. December 26, 2022. Tom. Tapp. Deadline Hollywood. February 18, 2023.
  12. Web site: Anna Kendrick embraces her 'really complicated' side. January 20, 2023. Jack. Smart. The A.V. Club. February 18, 2023.
  13. Web site: Woman of the Hour . August 18, 2023 . TIFF.
  14. Web site: Anna Kendrick Skips TIFF World Premiere of Her Feature Directorial Debut 'Woman of the Hour' Out of Solidarity with Actors . September 9, 2023 .
  15. Web site: Netflix Landing Anna Kendrick's 'Dating Game' Serial Killer Tale 'Woman Of The Hour' For $11 Million In First Big TIFF 2023 Deal. Deadline Hollywood. Mike Jr. Fleming. 11 September 2023. 12 September 2023.
  16. Web site: Netflix Wraps Up Anna Kendrick's Serial Killer Movie 'Woman of the Hour' in Toronto Mega-Deal. Variety. 11 September 2023. 12 September 2023.
  17. Web site: AGC International Secures Bumper Pre-Sales On Richard Linklater's Hitman & Anna Kendrick's The Dating Game. September 20, 2022. Matt. Grobar. Deadline Hollywood. February 18, 2023.
  18. Web site: Netflix pounces on US, remaining international rights at TIFF to Anna Kendrick's 'Woman Of The Hour'. Screen International. Jeremy. Kay. 12 September 2023. 30 November 2023.
  19. Web site: Vary . Peter Debruge,Murtada Elfadl,Todd Gilchrist,Gregg Goldstein,Paula Hendrickson,Courtney Howard,Angelique Jackson,Brent Simon,Adam B. . Debruge . Peter . Elfadl . Murtada . Gilchrist . Todd . Goldstein . Gregg . Hendrickson . Paula . Howard . Courtney . Jackson . Angelique . Simon . Brent . 2024-01-04 . Variety’s 10 Directors to Watch for 2024: Blitz Bazawule, Cord Jefferson and Anna Kendrick Among Noteworthy Helmers . 2024-03-30 . Variety . en-US.