‘Woman of the Hour’ Teaser Trailer: Anna Kendrick’s Directorial Debut is Based on a Shocking True Story

Netflix has released an effective teaser trailer for Woman of the Hour, the upcoming film that marks Anna Kendrick directorial debut. The film, set to arrive in October, is based on a chilling true story from the 1970s. Take a look above.

Woman of the Hour stars Kendrick as Sheryl Bradshaw, a contestant on the popular TV show The Dating Game. Unbeknownst to her, the man she chooses to go on a date with, Rodney Alcala, played by Daniel Zovatto (It Follows, Lady Bird), is a serial killer. The newly released teaser captures the uneasy atmosphere of their encounter, showing Sheryl at a bar where the tension with her date quickly escalates. The interaction becomes increasingly uncomfortable as Alcala’s strange behaviour begins to raise red flags.

The film delves into the true-crime story of Rodney Alcala, a convicted serial killer who, while appearing on The Dating Game, was already in the midst of a years-long killing spree. The film explores the bizarre circumstances that led to his appearance on the show and the dark reality behind the seemingly innocuous encounter. A bit of info on the real-life killer: he was directly linked to eight murders, although a lack of evidence meant that the actual number may never be known. It could be as high as 130.

Kendrick, known for her performances in films like Pitch Perfect and Up in the Air, directs from a script by Ian MacAllister McDonald, which landed on the Black List in 2017. The supporting cast includes Tony Hale (Veep), Nicolette Robinson (The Affair), Kathryn Gallagher (Gossip Girl), and Autumn Best (4400).

Woman of the Hour will stream exclusively on Netflix from October 18.

Netflix