“I’m not making money off of the movie.”
Anna Kendrick, celebrated for her roles in Pitch Perfect and Up in the Air, has taken a commendable step with her directorial debut, Woman of the Hour.
The film, which premiered on Netflix on October 18, delves into the chilling true story of serial killer Rodney Alcala, infamously known as “The Dating Game Killer.”
In a recent revelation, Kendrick disclosed that she donated her entire earnings from the film to charity, expressing discomfort at profiting from such a harrowing narrative.
Woman of the Hour centres on Alcala’s 1978 appearance on the television show The Dating Game, where he was chosen by contestant Cheryl Bradshaw, portrayed by Kendrick.Unbeknownst to Bradshaw and the audience, Alcala was in the midst of a killing spree, with his crimes later linked to numerous victims.
In an interview on the Crime Junkie AFpodcast, Kendrick shared her internal conflict regarding the film’s financial aspects. “This was never a money-making venture for me,” she stated.
“Eventually, Netflix bought the movie. But it wasn’t until, like, the week before TIFF [Toronto International Film Festival] that I thought, ‘Oh, this movie’s gonna make money.’”
She further elaborated on her feelings, saying, “I asked myself the question of, ‘Do you feel gross about this?’ And I did.”
Acting on her conscience, Kendrick decided to forgo her earnings from the film.
“So, I’m not making money off of the movie. The money is going to — or has gone to — RAINN and to the National Center for Victims of Violent Crime,” she revealed.
Both organizations are prominent in supporting survivors of sexual assault and violent crimes.
Woman of the Hour has been well-received, with critics praising Kendrick’s directorial skills and the film’s sensitive handling of its subject matter.