Kathryn Gallagher on Netflix’s Woman of the Hour
Nino Muñoz/Netflix
Believe Women: A conversation with Kathryn Gallagher on Netflix’s Women of the Hour
Words by Michelle Malek
Content warning: contains content about sexual violence, murder, and abuse.
In 1978, Rodney Alcala appeared on the popular dating show The Dating Game. What audiences didn’t know was that Alcala was in the midst of his murder spree of many women, teenage girls, and boys.
Anna Kendrick makes her directorial debut in Netflix's Woman of The Hour and stars as Cheryl Bradshaw. The film is set in 1978 and explores the story of the infamous serial killer Rodney Alcala (played by Daniel Zovatto). It depicts the various women he encounters and murders surrounding his appearance on The Dating Game. In real life, Alcala committed multiple murders before his appearance on the show, though the production company neglected to do a background check and instead focused on his "attractive” appearance and "high IQ," which allowed him to be a contestant.
Leah Gallo/Netflix © 2024.
Kathryn Gallagher, who plays Charlie, becomes one of Alcala’s victims after trusting him to help her with her furniture while moving. Like real life, Alcala is a photographer in the film. Before his attacks, he would often take pictures of his victims. After a seemingly sweet conversation turned dark, backed by a haunting score, Alcala begins to torment and strangle Charlie, eventually murdering her in her apartment. Her lingering breaths can be heard as she lays on the ground. Alcala takes a picture of her lifeless body.
“It's devastating, especially for my character. She was a girl who had huge dreams of traveling and seeing the world, and she needed help,” says Gallagher, “I think as a woman, you learn to never put two headphones in and be careful what you're wearing late at night, and always be aware of your surroundings, and be careful who you’re getting in a car with. The list goes on.”
The film also delves into the emotional and psychological impact on women as they navigate uncomfortable situations, shedding light on the expectations that contribute to these experiences. It highlights women's internal struggles and discomfort in their encounters with men, offering a poignant commentary on the need for greater understanding and support for women and the threatening situations they may encounter.
Leah Gallo/Netflix © 2024.
Gallagher is open about her past experiences with sexual assault and abusive relationships. Her song "The Sweetest Song" was written as part of the film, reflecting on her experiences in past relationships. The lyrics act as Gallagher's diary, expressing her journey to come to terms with these experiences and no longer blaming herself for the abuse she endured. She explains, “Something as serious and traumatic as sexual assault, or maybe something devastating in a different way, you think, ‘How could I have let this happen?’ But to be able to stand there and say you did a bad thing. And if that is offensive to you, maybe don't do that thing.”
“I never spoke ill, I just spoke the truth, if you don’t like how it sounds, change what you do,”
The harrowing truth is that victims of violent incidents often face victim-blaming, which discourages them from reporting their assaults. According to Rainn.org, “only 310 out of every 1,000 sexual assaults are reported to the police.” The film depicts this reality through one of its main characters, Laura (played by Nicolette Robinson), whose friend was murdered by Alcala. She attempts to report Alcala's crimes but is either laughed at or ignored by the police. Though some women end up staying in their abusive relationships, Gallagher points out how it’s not due to their own wants. “So many women remain in their homes with violent partners because women's shelters don't always allow their pets.” she says, “so they stay longer to protect their animals and their children.”
“You can’t judge someone on their route to survival because also there are times where it feels like the reality very well may be that one exit route leads to more violence.”
Leah Gallo/Netflix © 2024.
Gallagher highlighted the ongoing challenges that women still face despite technological advancements in today’s society. She emphasized that being a survivor of sexual assault and going through the process of getting a rape kit can be a lengthy and highly invasive process. Oftentimes, rape kits can go untested for years. Initiatives like End the Backlog, a program of The Joyful Heart Foundation, of which Gallagher is a member of the Board of Directors, “tracks the progress of all 50 states in enacting laws and policies that embrace comprehensive rape kit reform. In 2022, legislators introduced 29 bills in 17 states aimed at achieving one or more of Joyful Heart’s six pillars of legislative reform, which include counting, testing, and tracking rape kits, as well as granting rights to survivors.”
Sadly, many women’s stories and experiences go untold, but films such as Woman of the Hour help to shine light on the often overlooked or ignored violence against women.
If you or a loved one has experienced sexual assault or violence, please call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at (800)-656-4673 or visit their website for more information.