Blake Lively almost had a career renaissance after the release of her controversial film It Ends With Us. Unfortunately, the string of issues that followed her during the promotional tours and press conferences only snuffed the hope of reviving her fame.
Unlike Lively’s former costar Anna Kendrick, whom she worked with in 2018’s A Simple Favor, the Pitch Perfect star is now carving her own path as a director. Not every actor gets the opportunity to helm a project, but the singer proves that she’s versatile and multitalented enough.
Woman of the Hour by Anna Kendrick Receives Praise from Fans
Anna Kendrick is the power behind the critically acclaimed crime thriller film Woman of the Hour, also known as her directorial debut. It is based on the life of serial killer Rodney Alcala, who appeared in the 1978 television show The Dating Game in the middle of his murder spree.
The actress admitted being drawn to the script for a very long time, but as with any Hollywood project, it also took a while before they could find a director. According to Kendrick, she could not take the fact that someone else would tell her what the story was about, and she also did not plan to become a director – things just sort of happened and fell into place.
In her interview with Harper’s Bazaar, she expressed her sentiments about being a first-time director:
I loved it. There were days where I felt like I was just doing my best impression of someone who wasn’t in a blind panic – but I adored it, as I worked with such talented people.
This basically puts her on the map again and in good standing, especially with the positive reactions of fans and critics towards Woman of the Hour. Check out these reactions below:
It’s Netflix and it’s true crime so I wasn’t expecting much from Woman of the Hour but found Anna Kendrick’s direction so exciting. In just one film, her use of the frame + blocking is pretty far ahead many of her contemporaries. Kinda can’t wait to see her do more pic.twitter.com/OogIMoioQS
— Brandon Streussnig (@BrndnStrssng) October 20, 2024
This has to be done more often. There is no reason to sexualize serial killers & murderers regardless of how attractive they are perceived to be. This film was WAY more effective bc they made him grungy, filthy lookin & not as smooth as other films. Bro was SCARY #WomanOfTheHour pic.twitter.com/KOF8ku0XhS
— SαvαnnαXO (@SHETheCreatoR) October 19, 2024
Anna Kendrick absolutely smashes in her directional debut in The Woman of the Hour, from now on she’s to be referred as DIRECTOR Anna Kendrick for yall. pic.twitter.com/7X4mg89yuB
— Sofía (@starkcanarie) October 12, 2024
Highly recommend WOMAN OF THE HOUR. Impressed with McDonald‘s writing bc so many sentences & instances are relatable for women. The people pleasing, babying men to feel safe, trying to stay calm in times of danger, not being believed. Kendrick’s debut is a sharp & tense success. pic.twitter.com/e6LsW7ZQHR
— Marisa Mirabal (@Marisa_Mirabal) October 19, 2024
I need anna kendrick to abandon the trolls franchise and start directing more thrillers because holy shit woman of the hour was INCREDIBLE!!!
— laur ☆ (@lastkissperry) October 20, 2024
As mentioned, this accomplishment describes how far she has come in the industry, miles away from Blake Lively’s failed career revival.
Blake Lively’s Career Revival May Take a Long Time Again
While Kendrick is currently basking in the glory of her latest work, Lively seems to be lying low after the backlash she received while promoting her film with director Justin Baldoni.
A source told Daily Mail that the actress “thought this was her moment to shine but is now looking at it like the end of her career.” This is quite sad because the controversy will affect her future in the industry, and even though she has expressed her desire to act more and direct movies, it will take some time before it happens. She needed to step back first and reflect on her past actions.
Woman of the Hour is currently available on Netflix.
