Anna Kendrick on presenting herself as a “woman of the hour” director

Anna Kendrick talks about how she decided to take on the role of director in the new Netflix film Woman of the hour.

Directed by Kendrick and written by Ian McDonald, the crime thriller is based on the true story of serial killer Rodney Alcala, portrayed by Daniel Zocatto, who appeared and won an episode of The dating game. Alcala was eventually dubbed “The Dating Game Killer.”

Kendrick, who initially only worked as an actress, suddenly found herself taking over the director’s chair, but said she only wanted the role if the producers thought it was the best move. “I really cared so much about the movie that I just wanted to do what was best for the movie, and if that meant someone else taking the director’s chair, that wouldn’t be a problem for me,” said Kendrick, who also directed The Dating Game Contestant Cheryl Bradshaw played in the film, recounted The Hollywood Reporter at the LA premiere on Thursday night.

“I think it might have been the most ambivalent pitch in Hollywood history because I can’t give false confidence,” Kendrick joked. After accepting the job, she called a director for advice.

“Funnily enough, the first person I called was Paul Feig, and the only reason I say it’s funny is because it’s a movie about a serial killer and we mostly know him from comedies like… Bridesmaids“Kendrick explained.

“I admire him so much as a filmmaker and collaborator that I really wanted his perspective, and he had a kind of tough love for me,” she said. “It was a ‘no excuses, the money stays with you’ kind of conversation, so I’m very, very grateful to him.”

The actress and director praised her fellow cast and crew members for their support during this process. “I was really surrounded by people who were incredibly talented and supportive, and they’re really the reason everything didn’t always fall apart,” she said.

Her fellow cast members seemed to feel the same way about her. “I have nothing but amazing things to say about her. She’s a great leader,” Zocatto said. “She’s an actress first, so she understands the process that goes into it.”

Nicolette Robinson, who plays Laura in the film, added: “In this world, she’s a straight-A student.”

Several members of the cast said that the film, which was told from the female perspective, interested them in the project. “I love that this story is told from the perspective of the victims. I think this flips the script on the serial killer narrative and honors the victims,” said Kelly Jakle, who plays Sarah in the film.

Pete Holmes, who plays Kendrick’s character’s neighbor, seemed to feel similarly. He explained: “I’m a father of a daughter and it seemed like something that needed to be told, not just another slasher film or something.”

Kendrick said she would like to direct again, but she isn’t sure what her next project will be yet. “Right now, it’s daunting to find something that I’m so passionate about [Woman of the Hour]” she said. “I really hit the jackpot with this script and especially with the cast and crew. So it was a challenge for me to find something that I liked so much.”

Woman of the hour Premieres October 18th on Netflix.