It’s hard to believe Woman of the Hour premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival last September and is just now arriving on Netflix.

Set in 1978, the film follows Cheryl Bradshaw (Kendrick), an aspiring actress who unwittingly participates in a dating show featuring the charming yet dangerous Rodney Alcala (Daniel Zovatto), who is linked to multiple murders. While I often prefer narratives focusing on victims rather than killers, Woman of the Hour compellingly navigates Alcala’s perspective, illustrating his manipulative charm.

Kendrick expertly emphasizes this connection, particularly in a harrowing moment when Cheryl asks the male contestants, “Will you hurt me?” This line perfectly encapsulates the film’s exploration of vulnerability in a predatory world. Kendrick’s performances consistently resonate with authenticity, as seen in her previous projects, like ‘Alice, Darling’.

Overall, Woman of the Hour is not just a chilling tale—it’s a powerful exploration of charm and danger, and I’m excited to see where Kendrick’s directorial journey takes her next.

Letter Grade: B+

Welcome to The Wandering Screen with Matt Koss, my new YouTube series, where I will take you on a journey through the latest film releases and the vibrant landscape of the entertainment industry.

As an awards editor at AwardsFocus.com, I’ve had the privilege of covering red-carpet premieres and film festival screenings, interviewing talented creatives both in front of and behind the camera, and moderating Q&As with feature film directors in front of live audiences. This series is a perfect blend of armchair exploration and cinematic conversation, designed to help you discover what’s worth watching each week while also delving into current trends shaping the film world.

So join me as we embark on this exciting adventure together, and stay tuned for my first episode—until then, happy wandering!

About The Author

Partner, Deputy Awards Editor

Matthew Koss is the Deputy Awards Editor at Awards Focus and a Senior Film and TV Coverage Partner.

He is the host and creator of the weekly YouTube series The Wandering Screen with Matt Koss, which features dynamic reviews of all the latest film and TV releases. His writing has also appeared in The Movie Buff, Voyage LA, and ScreenRant, and he is a moderator for post-screening Q&As.

Since joining Awards Focus in 2020, Matthew has interviewed A-list talent, including Academy Award nominee Maggie Gyllenhaal, Emmy winner Alex Borstein, and Lovecraft Country’s Jonathan Majors, across film and TV. He also appears on red carpets for major studios and film festivals, most recently with Netflix's The Crown and Hulu’s The Bear.

After moving from Melbourne, Australia, to Los Angeles in 2014, Matthew has worked in various areas of the entertainment industry, including talent and literary representation, film/TV development as a Creative Executive, and at film festivals as a Regional Manager. Matthew is also a screenwriting consultant, most recently partnering with Roadmap Writers, where he conducted private, multi-week mentorship consultations, roundtables, and monthly coaching programs.

Matthew is also a producer, and he recently appeared at the Los Angeles Shorts International Film Festival with his film Chimera, directed by Justin Hughes.

He continues to work with entertainment companies such as Warner Bros. Discovery, Zero Gravity Management, Sundance Institute, and MGMT Entertainment.

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