Why is Woman of the Hour rated R? Explained

Anna Kendrick’s directorial debut Woman of the Hour is slated to release on Netflix on October 18, 2024. After a film festival premiere in 2023, it's now commercially releasing for audiences worldwide.

The film has been rated R as film certification for release. That's beacuse of the graphic and gory nature of the violence depicted in it, which mirrors the real-life story of killer and s*xual abuser Rodney Alcala. The movie has many scenes involving hints at abuse, violence, gore, drug abuse, profanity and strong language. Viewer discretion is advised when watching the new release.

The official summary for the film as released by the streaming platform reads:

"Cheryl Bradshaw, a single woman looking for a suitor on a hit 1970s TV show, chooses charming bachelor Rodney Alcala, unaware that, behind the man's gentle facade, he hides a deadly secret."

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What is Woman of the Hour about? Plot summary explored

A still from the introduction of The Dating Game on Woman of the Hour (via Netflix / YouTube)

Woman of the Hour is a Netflix film based on the true story of a serial killer, who ended up finding one of his potential victims on a show broadcast on national television. In 1978, serial killer Rodney Alcala appeared on a popular television show called The Dating Game. He was one of three eligible bachelors competing for a date with a bachelorette on the show.

Later, Alcala was linked to the brutal murder of many young women across the United States. After a series of conflicting trials that were overturned and re-conducted, he was incarcerated for several counts of first-degree murder. Alcala was put on death row but died from natural causes at the age of 77 before the death sentence could be meted out.

The film is actress Anna Kendrick’s debut as a director, with a focus on Alcala's victims and the women whom he lured. Kendrick herself plays the role of Cheryl Bradshaw, the bachelorette at the center of the whole series of events. The film is expected to flip the story around by telling the stories of how Alcala cut the lives of the victims short.

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Who are the cast members featuring in Woman of the Hour?

Daniel Zovatto as Rodney Alcala in a still from the movie (via Netflix / YouTube)

The film stars Anna Kendrick playing the role of Cheryl Bradshaw. The actress has gained recognition over the years with prominent roles in franchises like the Twilight saga and Pitch Perfect. The members of the main cast of the movie include:

• Anna Kendrick as Cheryl Bradshaw
• Daniel Zovatto as Rodney Alcala
• Nicolette Robinson as Laura
• Tony Hale as Ed Burke
• Kathryn Gallagher as Charlie
• Pete Holmes as Terry
• Autumn Best as Amy
• Jessie Fraser as Lisa
• Kelley Jakle as Sarah
• Taylor Hastings as Melanie
• Jedidiah Goodacre as Arnie
• Darcy Laurie as Marty

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Audiences will be able to watch Woman of the Hour after its release on Netflix on October 18, 2024.