'Woman of the Hour' Movie Review: Anna Kendrick's Directorial Debut Is A Chilling And Terrifying Look At What It Means To Not Believe Women

 

by Evan L. Jackson 

Woman of the Hour is the directorial debut of Anna Kendrick and is distributed by Netflix and set to be on the streamer October 18th. What stylistically stands out of Anna's debut is that her directing choices stalk the women in each respective scene and the sheer terror jumps out on you. As I observed watching the premiere the audience was in awe at times, terrified of , caught up in Anna's charming nature and felt they had collectively took a gut punch when they realized the women in this film (and often in real life)  are not being believed. When the lens is focused on Anna's character in the dating game scenes there is a sense of tension and uneasiness. It's made to make you feel uncomfortable in on going theme that these women are restricted, tossed aside, and never fully heard. Although the depth of the film could of been more explored this is an impressive look for Anna and promising for her next directorial venture.

Daneil Zovatto's character and mannerisms making you instantly sick, as his nice guy act entraps the women who eventually become his victims. The main tool he uses to ensure them is his camera unfortunately. Starting with a compliment he'd woo the women in and any hint of disobedience from them he'd get agitated and go into terror mode. Zovatto's performance haunts this film. Wonderfully casted and again Anna's positioning of Zovatto in the role with his stance and mannerisms make it more eerie and scary. Almost like the shark in Jaws, you as the audience knows the imminent danger, forcing you to say "WATCH OUT" as an audience member butt the characters can't here you. And some are oblivious do his devious deeds ahead. While other female characters in the film are crushed by systemic mysigiony.  

The strongest moments in the film are Anna's Kendrick woman's intuition that something isn't quite right. At the diner her quip doesn't sit right with Zavotto's character. Feeling even more tense she looks at the waitress to give a look at her that insuiates "no, please no. I'm leaving this creep". In your gut you feel something terrible is going to go wrong as seen in in the previous times he was with other woman. She slyly and smartly evades his devilish ways. All through the film there are more questions asked of the audience. Did she really want to have sex with her roommate or felt obligated since he was too nice? Why didn't the authorities, the producers, or the within reach believe the woman who spotted Zavatto's character as the predator? Then you start to realize the time period and even to this day the dangers of not listening to women. We shouldn't have to wait to see evidence, we should further explore and investigate when women are being preyed upon. That's the message I feel Anna was trying to convey. Not only the beauty and agency of being a woman but the restrictions of not being taken seriously. Wow! How some use women use humor to escape the most unfunny circumstances so they can escape the hands of predators. How they can elude uncomfortable conversations so as to keep the status quo. Anna delivers and you should listen to a woman next time she has something to say to you.