Anna Kendrick gracefully bestowed her paycheck from "Woman of the Hour" to charity, driven by a profound discomfort in profiting from a project rooted in real-life criminal horrors. In this film, which she both directed and starred in, Kendrick portrays Sheryl, an aspiring actress whose path crosses with a serial killer during an appearance on "The Dating Game" in the 1970s. The narrative, penned by Ian McDonald, mirrors the chilling true tale of American serial killer Rodney Alcala, infamously known as the "Dating Game Killer."
During her appearance on the Sirius XM's "Crime Junkie" podcast on October 25th, the "Pitch Perfect" sensation opened up about grappling with "genuine ethical dilemmas surrounding true crime stories." Consequently, she decided to donate her entire salary from this gripping adaptation to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) and the National Center for Victims of Crime (NCVC).
Kendrick emphasized that the film was never about personal gain for her, asserting, "Every penny went into the actual making of the movie." When it sold to Netflix for a reported $11 million at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival, she experienced a fleeting moment of realization: "The movie's going to make money." This was followed by a poignant introspection: "Do I feel uneasy about benefiting financially from this?" Her answer was a resounding yes, prompting her to forgo any monetary rewards from the project. The funds have already been disbursed to the two charities, she confirmed.
She further elaborated, "It's a nuanced area, but this felt like the bare minimum I could do." NCVC's spokesperson, in a statement to Yahoo Entertainment, expressed their organization's delight and humility upon learning of Kendrick's generous contribution to both NCVC and RAINN.
"In a realm where the true crime genre often exploits tragedy for sensationalism, Anna's work in 'Woman of the Hour' shines as a beacon of empathy and leadership," the statement continued. "By championing a victim-centric approach, she is reshaping narratives that uphold the dignity of those impacted by crime. Her dedication to amplifying survivors' stories serves as a reminder that behind every statistic and true crime narrative lies a human being with a profound story waiting to be told."
RAINN also acknowledged Kendrick's donation in a statement to Yahoo Entertainment, expressing their profound gratitude. "We are deeply thankful to Anna Kendrick for her unwavering support of RAINN and all survivors, and for being a compassionate voice in raising awareness about sexual violence," the statement read.
In this heartfelt gesture, Kendrick has not only demonstrated her commitment to social justice but has also set a powerful precedent in the realm of cinematic storytelling.
Representatives for Kendrick and Netflix have remained tight-lipped in response to inquiries seeking comment. Daniel Zovatto portrays Alcala in the film, a man who faced the death penalty in California for five murders spanning from 1977 to 1979. Additionally, he confessed to two more murders in New York, with all victims being women and young girls. A chilling note at the conclusion of "Woman of the Hour" reveals that "some authorities estimate the true number of victims could soar as high as 130."
Alcala, who expired behind bars in 2021, made an appearance on "The Dating Game" in 1978, amid his California murder spree. Yet, his first victim fell years prior, and he wasn't apprehended until a year after his televised debut.
Kendrick, sharing her thoughts with Netflix's Tudum, emphasized, "The real Rodney doesn't hold my fascination." Instead, her spotlight shines on Alcala's victims and their narratives. The film also scrutinizes the flawed handling of the case, which enabled Alcala to elude justice for an extended period.
"Woman of the Hour" secured the second spot on Netflix's global charts for the week of Oct. 21-27, attracting an audience of 13.2 million viewers. During the film's promotion, Kendrick appeared on "Call Her Daddy" and disclosed her seven-year ordeal in an abusive relationship.
She revealed that the themes of "Woman of the Hour" and her 2022 film "Alice, Darling," which centers on a woman enduring psychological abuse, propelled her to confront her own experiences. "For a moment, I anticipated interviews for this film would revolve around queries about the cast and crew, and I'd enthuse about them," Kendrick told The Independent. "However, thus far, no one has inquired about the sound team."
She further noted that it was time to peel off the band-aid. "I believe I'd reached a critical juncture," she shared with the outlet. "It felt like I was being coerced into a life of performance and dishonesty. I couldn't bear another second of breathing dishonest air."
Updated, Oct. 30, 2024: This narrative has been enriched with a comment from RAINN.
