Anna Kendrick sheds light on 'terrifying' Woman of the Hour scene that was almost axed

Netflix's upcoming thriller, Woman of the Hour, follows the chilling true story of a serial killer who found his next potential victim on a seventies dating show - and the director has just revealed she had to fight for its ballsy opening scene to be included.

Pitch Perfect star Anna Kendrick directs and stars in the crime drama, which centres on aspiring actress Cheryl Bradshaw (Kendrick), who appeared on blind dating show The Dating Game, in 1978.

As a bachelorette in the episode, Cheryl chose a date with Rodney Alcala, a serial killer who later became known as the Dating Game Killer. She then refused to go on date with the bachelor because he was 'creepy'.

Alcala had already committed several murders before appearing on the show, and he continued to kill more people after his TV appearance. He was later convicted of seven murders in two states, but it is believed that he committed more.

The film focuses on the almost fatal episode of The Dating Game and starts with a scene depicting the gruesome murder of one of Alcala's victims. While the opening scene has already caught some critics' eyes, Kendrick has just revealed that it was almost cut from the film.

Speaking to Digital Spy, she admitted that she had to fight to keep the opening scene: "I was frankly shocked with myself for being so firm. I think I said something along the lines of, 'If it's really important to you guys that the movie open in a nightclub and have a certain feeling, that's fine, but I don't know how to make that movie'."

She added: "I was like, 'I can't believe I'm saying this. This is like my first directing opportunity and I'm being kind of ballsy.' So there was a part of me that was like, 'Who do I think I am saying this?' But yeah, I love that opening scene."

Woman of the Hour marks Kendrick's directorial debut and has already received praise ahead of its premiere on . It currently boasts a 92% rating on Rotten Tomatoes with one critic praising the first scene.

On X, formerly , the film reviewer wrote: "Wow, that opening scene of #WomanoftheHour is gripping and terrifying."

Kendrick stars alongside Daniel Zovatto (Lady Bird), who plays Alcala. The pair is supported by Tony Hale (Arrested Development), Nicolette Robinson (The Affair), Autumn Best (4400, Kathryn Gallagher (Gossip Girl), Kelley Jakle (Pitch Perfect) and Pete Holmes (Crashing).

Woman of the Hour is available to stream on Netflix from October 18.