Unmasking the True Crime Drama - 'Woman of the Hour'
‘Woman of the Hour’ will focus on a game show contestant, Sheryl Bradshaw, who unwittingly chooses a sociopath, and a murderer Rodney Alcala for the show. It is in a television setting where the movie portrays a horrifying real life incident, that a harmless situation becomes a horror. It is an ’emotional’ chronicle combining elements of suspense and essential horror, with a complex plot crossing many time zones and physical spaces to lay bare Alcala’s systematic criminality.
The movie paints a sinister picture of the 1970s essence and morality and calorie on themes of disguise, charisma, and societal blindness to the atrocities unfolding in media environments. It reaches for dread and the tinge of longing that’s part and parcel of any reliable true crime tale, captured in Melissa Leo and awkward marvel Anna Kendrick both giving terrific and scary performances as Sheryl. Rodney by Daniel Zovatto is equally compelling and creepy, which gives a viewer the chance to peer into the world of a true predator. The opportunity to get acquainted with the work of the main actors, as well as Tony Hale and Nicolette Robinson, adding depth and believability to the film.
It is also worth noting the first film directed by Anna Kendrick, who manages to create a tense plot and captivate viewers throughout the film. Her gift of painting the gloomy atmosphere of the 70s and the complex minds of the characters prove her good sense of vision and direction.
The music played fits well with the 70s setting and adds spine-chilling feelings as well as a sense of nostalgia. The former is a crucial contribution to the viewers’ participation in the atmosphere of the time and the overall dark setting of the film.
The film has stunning visuals with the cinematographer Zach Kuperstein particularly in visualizing the contrasting between the beautiful Cali outdoors and the mystery and horror that revolve around the movie. Choosing of colours as well as shadowing plays a role in creating the horror feel of the film.
The timelines and setting are effective in depicting the 1970s and this provides a realism when watching the film.
Special effects are limited but strategic in portraying horror, and this emphasizes on the psychological horror type. This decision increases the level of suspense and keeps the threatening facets of the story unveiled without unbearably excessive amounts of gore.
The multiple timeline aspect is well interwoven, making the narration and its rather intricate structure easily understandable. It explicates how the pacing used in the episodes help in creating suspense to make sure that the viewers keep engaged constantly shifting narrative.
Specifically, ‘Woman of the Hour’ carefully teases out its story to effectively keep viewers engaged through carefully crafted suspense. In the measured way of portraying relationships between characters and unveiling plot points the show provides an intense watch.
The narrative contracts people’s personalities and their desires while at the same time advancing a storyline. It creates a good perk for the viewer, putting them in the 1970s and giving the narrative more layers of truth.
However, the context which ‘Woman of the Hour’ manages to hold is one which may confuse the viewer due to the multiple time jumps throughout the piece. There are moments of character development where more depth could have been delved into said characters in order for the audience to become emotionally invested into the storyline. It leaves audiences shocked and thoughtful; it was the perfect representation of the element of danger that hides behind beautiful exteriors. It appeals to the audience by making them think about superficiality and reality of the people one deals with in life. As Beca Mitchell and the mastermind behind the musical hit, Anna Kendrick is an entertaining storyteller for a feature film that reveals the morbid in an ordinary life.
