Profits from Anna Kendrick’s new movie will go to these charities

By Michael Lee Simpson

All the money Anna Kendrick made from Netflix film "Woman of the Hour" will pay for two free charity hotlines of crime victims.

The movie tells the story of "Dating Game" serial killer Rodney Alcala and the victims of his crimes.

In a recent interview, Kendrick revealed she has not made any money from the movie - and instead donated the proceeds from her directorial debut to two charities.

Both have not revealed what the cash would and has been used for.

The National Center for Victims of Crime will use the money to maintain a 24/7 hotline for crime victims, accessible via VictimConnect.org, and educate audiences on ethical true crime consumption.

RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) will also use it for the charity 24/7 National Sexual Assault Hotline.

Renée Williams, CEO of the National Center for Victims of Crime based in Washington D.C., praised Kendrick’s storytelling approach, noting Woman of the Hour avoids excessive violence — a common feature in many true-crime films.

"Ms. Kendrick really didn't show scenes of gratuitous violence," Williams, 40, explains.

"She only suggested sexual assaults and stopped before showing graphic details. What she did incredibly well was avoiding glamorizing the perpetrator."

In a genre where, Williams notes, stories of infamous criminals often take on a larger-than-life quality, Kendrick’s commitment to portraying Alcala as a dangerous predator instead of a “charming villain” is refreshing, she said.

"We’ve seen so many movies come out lately that glamorized Ted Bundy or Jeffrey Dahmer,” Williams shares.

“She really took great caution. The actor playing Rodney Alcala is phenomenal, but she in no way made him more handsome or charming."

Talking of what the money will be used for, Williams explains, “We have a series of guides coming out — one for the general public on consuming crime ethically, one for content creators on telling compelling stories without retraumatizing victims, and one for victims navigating the media during times of tragedy.”

The funds also address a critical challenge in victim advocacy.

"The American justice system is not set up to help victims; it’s really designed to protect defendants’ rights," Williams says.

Scott Berkowitz, founder and president of RAINN, echoed gratitude for Kendrick’s involvement.

“We’re so grateful to Anna Kendrick for her support of RAINN and all survivors, and for being a compassionate storyteller when it comes to raising awareness of sexual violence,” Berkowitz says. “Her donation will help us continue to provide free, 24/7 support through RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline.”