Most thriller movies rely on intense music, colors and effects to instill fear in the viewers. Anna Kendrick, actor and director of the film “Woman of the Hour,” proves that silence can be more terrifying than tension-filled music.
The film re-tells the story of serial killer Rodney Alcala through the lens of his targets and victims. The movie received a lot of praise, earning a 91% on Rotten Tomatoes. Specifically, a lot of reviews praise the way Kendrick was able to create genuine fear instead of creating discomfort through gore.
The movie is formatted giving a segment to two of Alcala’s victims, as well as a friend of a victim, two potential victims and the woman who helped him get arrested. The film details the struggle they faced against Alcala.
Overall, I really enjoyed the movie. The character building was extremely well done, making me empathize with each character besides Alcala. During the tension-filled parts, my heart sped up, and the setting was extremely well done. During the more graphic scenes, there was a sense of isolation caused by the vast desserts and bright sun. The film is one of my favorites I have seen.
However, the movie jumps from the present to his past victims, building a timeline that is slightly confusing. It becomes hard to follow as the movie opens with his first victim, Sarah, and then cuts to the main character, Sheryl Bradshaw. After we learn Bradshaw’s struggles, viewers meet Amy, the woman responsible for Alcala’s arrest. Although slightly confusing, the way in which the story was told is extremely effective. The addition of the victim’s scenes adds an eerie sense to the main story.
The movie is definitely worth the watch, sitting at an 8/10 in my opinion. The movie felt incredibly cinematic, and the story was moving. It curated emotion and did an amazing job being respectful of the stories of the victims. It is available for streaming on Netflix, so if you are looking for a short and thrilling movie, I would recommend it!
