Anna Kendrick decided to donate the entire profit of her latest Netflix film to charity.
The actress, best known for her role in the 2012 classic Pitch Perfect, is the star of Netflix’s Woman of the Hour, a movie that follows a string of killings committed by notorious serial killer Rodney Alcala.
Alcala stalked and murdered at least eight women in the 70s, though authorities are convinced that the number is severely underestimated, with the predator potentially being linked to approximately 122 other deaths.
Woman of the Hour focuses on one particular part of Alcala’s life – the time he appeared on a TV show called The Dating Game to try and win the heart of a young woman named Sheryl, who Kendrick portrayed.
This project also marked the actress’ first directorial debut.
If you haven’t seen it already, watch the full trailer below:
Speaking on a new episode of the Crime Junkie AF podcast, the 39-year-old opened up about the importance of making this film.
“This was never a money-making venture for me,” she said. “Eventually, Netflix bought the movie. But it wasn’t until, like, the week before TIFF [Toronto International Film Festival] that I thought: ‘Oh, this movie’s gonna make money.'”
However, that’s when her conscience started kicking in.
“I asked myself the question of: ‘Do you feel gross about this?’ And I did,” the Self Reliance alum continued.
“So, I’m not making money off of the movie. The money is going to – or has gone to – RAINN and to the National Center for Victims of Violent Crime,” Kendrick added, referencing two of the largest sexual assault nonprofit organizations in the United States.
“That felt like the least that I could do,” she added.
The show has already received much praise online, with many commending Kendick’s performance as well as her kind act in the aftermath of the movie’s debut on the streaming platform.
“Wow thats actually pretty cool of her… I love when celebs give back to good causes instead of hoarding money… especially for such important organizations,” wrote one user on X.
“What a generous way to make an impact,” another added.
“That’s an incredible move by Anna Kendrick! Donating her earnings to such important causes shows her commitment to supporting victims of crime,” a third also chimed in.
And this user also pointed out: “Anna Kendrick decided to devote her life to helping victims.”
Kendrick opened up about her own personal experiences with an abusive partner in the wake of producing her latest movie.
“Sometimes the most torturous thing isn’t just the disrespect or mistreatment, but the fact that everyone’s acting like it’s not happening. Which then convinces you that something’s not happening,” she told the Independent in a new interview.
“It makes you question whether you’re making all of it up, or if you’re being paranoid or too sensitive,” she continued. “You sound crazy. You’re dismissed. ‘He brushed your hair off your shoulder – that’s nothing.’
“And yet when you’re there, you can feel the threat that’s hanging in the room,” she added.
If you or anybody you know is experiencing domestic violence, please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), text “STRENGTH” to 88788, or message online at https://www.thehotline.org/.
Woman of the Hour is now available to stream on Netflix.
