Understanding the R Rating of Woman of the Hour: Reasons Explained

Anna Kendrick’s debut as a director, titled Woman of the Hour, is set to premiere on Netflix on October 18, 2024. Following its film festival showcase in 2023, it is now gearing up for a global audience release.

The film has received an R rating due to its intense and graphic portrayal of violence, reflecting the chilling true story of serial killer and sexual assailant Rodney Alcala. It contains numerous scenes that suggest abuse, including violence, gore, drug use, and strong language. Therefore, viewers are advised to exercise caution when watching.

According to the official synopsis provided by Netflix:

“In a hit TV show from the 1970s, a single woman named Cheryl Bradshaw seeks a suitor, unknowingly choosing the charming bachelor Rodney Alcala, while he conceals a terrifying secret beneath his amiable exterior.”

Exploring the Plot of Woman of the Hour

A scene from The Dating Game highlighted in Woman of the Hour (via Netflix / YouTube) — A scene from The Dating Game highlighted in *Woman of the Hour* (via Netflix / YouTube)

Woman of the Hour is a Netflix original film rooted in the harrowing true account of a serial killer who encountered one of his future victims on a nationally aired show. In 1978, Rodney Alcala appeared on the popular game show The Dating Game, vying as one of three bachelors for a date with a contestant.

Eventually, he was implicated in the gruesome murders of several young women throughout the United States. After a tumultuous series of trials, which were overturned and retried, he was sentenced to multiple counts of first-degree murder. Alcala remained on death row until he passed away from natural causes at 77, just before his execution could be carried out.

This film marks Anna Kendrick’s directorial debut, highlighting the stories of Alcala’s victims and the women he deceived. Kendrick portrays the character of Cheryl Bradshaw, the bachelorette who inadvertently became part of this tragic narrative. The film aims to provide a fresh perspective by focusing on the devastating impact Alcala had on the lives of his victims.

Cast Lineup for Woman of the Hour

Daniel Zovatto as Rodney Alcala in a scene from the film (via Netflix / YouTube)

The cast features Anna Kendrick in the role of Cheryl Bradshaw. Known for her memorable performances in franchises such as The Twilight Saga and Pitch Perfect, Kendrick is joined by a talented group of actors, including: