Anna Kendrick's New Serial Killer Thriller on Netflix Is Truly Disturbing (And Puts a New Twist on the Genre)

It's 1 a.m., I'm sitting across from my laptop – in a dark apartment that's far too quiet – as the Netflix credits roll Woman of the hour and I feel scared. An intense soundtrack blares from my headphones as my mind goes straight back to the film's most horrific scenes. And even now, as I write this, certain parts still haunt me. But aside from telling a truly spine-chilling story that gets under your skin, I feel like Anna Kendrick – who made her directorial debut with this incredible true crime thriller – is trying for something even greater with her approach to the genre to make a statement.

If you're unfamiliar with the plot, it follows Sheryl Bradshaw, an aspiring actress who lands a gig on the television show The dating game. But unbeknownst to them, the winner is a serial killer. The film is based on the true story of Rodney Alcala, a convicted sex offender and murderer who appeared on the series during his murder spree in 1978.

Most serial killer movies and series I've seen usually focus on the criminal (e.g Dahmer, The little things, American murdereretc.). However, Kendrick takes a refreshing approach by exploring the lives of the victims, which easily makes this one of the best true crime films I've ever seen. Let me explain.

In the film, Alcala has a habit of asking his victims a series of personal questions after charming them with compliments. In these vulnerable moments, I gain insight into each woman's story, from their traumatic past to their current circumstances – and in these moments I feel more connected to them. This makes their fate all the more poignant, but at the same time it feels like a strong message that the lives of these women are worth remembering. Each of their stories is important, and I think Kendrick does a great job of honoring the many forgotten victims and the loved ones they left behind.

Leah Gallo/Netflix

It's no surprise that Kendrick focuses primarily on the real Cheryl (FYI, the real Cheryl's name is spelled with a C). I absolutely love how Kendrick portrays her story. She is initially portrayed as a doe-eyed, down-on-her-luck actress who reluctantly accepts a new job, but then her spine grows as she appears on the show and puts a funny twist on a series of sexist questions.

Leah Gallo/Netflix

At this point, I'm already rooting for Sheryl. I want her to succeed in her acting career and wear her newfound confidence like a badge of honor. And when she meets Alcala after the show, I'm not too worried about what's going through his mind or what drives him to commit these crimes (although I… will let's say Daniel Zovatto is a nightmare-worthy criminal). I just want Sheryl to do it run. Furthermore, I want her to move as far away from this place as possible, erase this nightmare from her memory and move on with her life.

Kendrick's incredible, nuanced portrayal of Cheryl really brought this film together, and it's impossible not to get emotionally invested in her story. In fact, I'm almost certain that countless viewers (myself included) recognize a part of themselves in her story, which makes the film feel a little more personal.

All in all, this is one of the scariest and most emotional true crime films you will ever see. Just… a quick piece of advice: don't watch this movie alone in your apartment.

PureWow Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Leah Gallo/Netflix

Woman of the hour is a haunting serial killer thriller that cleverly avoids the typical approach of exploring the killer's mind and focuses on the victims who were targeted. It's impossible not to become attached to the victims, and Daniel Zovatto's portrayal of Alcala will make you think twice about striking up an innocuous conversation with a charming photographer.

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I saw this Robert Downey Jr. serial killer thriller 17 years ago and I'm still crazy about this one thing