As a film enthusiast who’s spent countless hours binge-watching movies and series, I must say that Anna Kendrick‘s directorial debut in “Woman in the Window” has left an indelible impression on me. Coming from someone who’s seen her evolution from Beca Mitchell in Pitch Perfect to the enigmatic Emily Nelson in A Simple Favor, it’s safe to say that Anna Kendrick’s directorial journey is off to a flying start.
It seems I’ve found another contender for the top horror films list – none other than “Woman of the Hour,” a chilling addition set to be unveiled in the 2024 Netflix lineup.
If you haven’t watched it yet, “Woman of the Hour” is Anna Kendrick’s first directorial effort. In this film, she plays Sheryl, a woman who appeared on the TV show “The Dating Game” as a means to gain visibility and enter the entertainment industry. However, unbeknownst to her, one of the bachelors she was interviewing was Rodney Alcala, a notorious serial killer active during his crimes at that time.
Indeed, the narrative is inspired by real events. A notorious killer managed to slip through the fingers of law enforcement while appearing on a popular game show, leaving me utterly puzzled. After years, I finally got around to watching the movie, and Anna Kendrick truly excelled in her first role. There are numerous aspects of this film that I could discuss, but there’s one scene that particularly captivated me. The instant I saw it, I was convinced that Kendrick had mastered her character perfectly.
Overall, The Film Itself Is Utterly Terrifying
Before diving into the specific details, I’d like to express that the movie titled “Woman of the Year ” is arguably the most chilling film of the year. It’s unsettling for women who watch it, and it’s terrifying if you have a woman in your life whom you care about deeply – because these types of men really do exist in the world.
This film might not fit your typical definition of a terrifying horror movie. Instead, it veers more towards the realm of true crime, albeit with some chilling horrific aspects. Unlike classic franchises such as Halloween or Friday the 13th, or even the top-tier A24 horror films, this one offers a unique blend of crime and suspense that will undoubtedly send shivers down your spine.
However, “Woman of the Hour” offers a unique take on true crime narratives, striking a chord particularly with those who can relate to Sheryl’s experiences.
This narrative is deeply rooted in a genuine, authentic tale. Unlike the usual serial-killer thrillers, it offers an extraordinary focus, delving into the woman’s point of view, allowing readers to experience their terror instead of merely observing the serial killer’s pursuit.
For a woman, there are numerous understated instances in this movie that make it the scariest film of the year. It’s the unsettling sensation of not being able to recall the false phone number you gave to the strange man when he asked for it. It’s the feeling of being constantly watched, yet unable to move quickly enough. This film is filled with elements that make it truly frightening.
But my moment – the one that sold me – was right at the very beginning.
That Moment, In The Beginning, With Rodney’s First Victim Gets Me
The film starts by depicting Rodney escorting a young lady to a desert location for photography purposes. As they converse, she reveals her past troubled relationship, initially giving the impression that Rodney is an empathetic man. He appears to be attentive, sympathetic, and showing affection towards her through his words and actions.
As she begins to show unease due to his advances later in the scene, the camera angles shift dramatically, creating an unsettling atmosphere. The instant you grasp that this man is truly alarming news, a shiver runs down your spine.
I must acknowledge that Daniel Zovatto truly shone in the role of Rodney, and it’s only right to praise him for his outstanding performance. He richly deserves accolades and more. However, Kendrick’s skillful camera work, particularly how she captured the scenes with her crew, significantly added depth to Daniel’s performance.
Is it not surprising to you how challenging it can be to express a sense of discomfort through something as seemingly straightforward as adjusting an angle? While it might seem effortless at first glance, the reality is that it’s far more difficult to execute successfully. The fact that Kendrick managed this on her initial attempt left me in no doubt about the sheer greatness of the movie we were about to watch.
It Just Keeps Continuing And Getting Better As The Film Goes On, And Kendrick Nails It
The sense of solitude and altered viewpoint improves as the film unfolds. It surfaces on the set of “The Dating Game,” is evident in her interactions with others, and can be felt everywhere – however, it is particularly noticeable during the parking lot scene.
Earlier in the scene, Sheryl, Kendrick, and Rodney are having a conversation at a bar. The camera work during this time is particularly effective. However, when Kendrick starts acting menacingly, the shots abruptly change, creating a striking visual effect that leaves you feeling uneasy for Sheryl. Shortly afterward, after he confronts her about the fake phone number, the camera reveals how isolated she truly is and how dangerous Kendrick has become towards her.
It’s truly amazing to achieve something like this as a director, and Director Kendrick shared some insights on how certain scenes were composed. In particular, she emphasized that there were numerous “visual elements” she wanted to perfect to clearly convey the sense of peril that Sheryl faced in the parking lot. (Sean O’Connell from TopMob interviewed Kendrick about this.)
In my presentation, I highlighted specific visual elements that stood out to me. One of these was the final parking lot scene, where I vividly described a shot capturing Sheryl and Rodney. This image conveyed the stark solitude they were experiencing at that moment. The implication was clear: even if Sheryl attempted to escape, she wouldn’t be able to leave the frame before Rodney caught up with her. This visual portrayal aimed to create a palpable sense of the immediate physical threat Sheryl faced.
Yeah, she accomplishes this and more, and now I’m nervous just thinking about it.
Genuinely, I Need Anna Kendrick To Direct Way More Movies – Maybe Even More Horror
I genuinely feel passionate about it as I truly hope Kendrick will take part in more film projects. Not only horror, but her ability to create a scene using a camera is simply outstanding.
Frankly, I rarely notice such authentic portrayals of women in films or television shows, and it’s something I’d be thrilled to witness more frequently. In her chat with O’Connell, Kendrick discussed her innovative approach to depicting emotions on screen using mirrors, lenses, and various other techniques. She mentioned that achieving the perfect shots was challenging, but the result was some exciting performance instances.
During our initial discussions, I expressed my intention to incorporate reflection and distortion strategically in pivotal scenes. These reflections could be seen through a camera lens, a mirror, or even a car window, symbolizing the character’s longing as a whole person. These instances would depict her being gazed at, yet unseen, as it can be challenging to convey such feelings in a film without resorting to a familiar visual language that might resemble how a predator views a woman. However, using his literal perspective raises concerns about reinforcing the normalization of objectification in cinema. But if I stick to his literal perspective, am I unwittingly perpetuating this issue? It was quite complex… For instance, Tony Hale’s character appears to avoid looking at me directly and only sees me through a mirror. I have been attempting to persuade him to simply look at me. I believe I managed to create some enjoyable performance moments.
Watching the film, I honestly wouldn’t have imagined such an approach because it’s rare for a horror movie to delve so deeply into the emotions of a victim, using a camera lens as a window into their mind. This intriguing and unexpected twist leaves me both puzzled and amused.
Regardless of the approach taken, I felt compelled to express admiration for Kendrick. Having been a fan of hers for quite some time, from her days in the Pitch Perfect series through to her powerful dramatic performances and my anticipation for her role in A Simple Favor 2, this experience only deepened my respect for her even further.
Honestly speaking, I genuinely hope that this is merely the beginning of her directorial journey. I firmly believe she has an extensive and promising career ahead, be it in the realm of horror, true crime, or any other genre that catches her interest.
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2024-11-10 04:08