In "Woman of the Hour," Anna Kendrick plays Cheryl Bradshaw, a plucky young actress trying to make it in Hollywood. She's going out for auditions but not having much luck when she lands herself a gig: appearing as a guest on "The Dating Game." It's not quite what she was looking for, but at least it will get her on TV.

So "Woman of the Hour" is Bradshaw's story, yes? Not so fast. On the show's dating panel, Bachelor No. 3 — a longhaired photographer named Rodney Alcala (Daniel Zovatto) — is actually a serial killer who we've already seen take several victims. And unbeknownst to Bradshaw, she's about to go choose him to go on a date in Carmel.

So "Woman of the House" is the story of how Bradshaw thwarted the killer, yes? Not so fast. Kendrick, for whom the true crime drama marks her feature directorial debut, uses an unconventional (and sometimes irksome) narrative structure to tell the story of those who encountered Alcala, who in some instances tried to tell authorities about him, and who eventually brought him down. (The movie is based on the true story of the man who was convicted of five murders in the late 1970s.) Rather than glorifying the killer, as serial killer films either consciously or unconsciously have a tendency to do, Kendrick pays tribute to the victims — all women — and gives them a voice.

The film opens in 1977 when Alcala is photographing a woman named Sarah (Kelley Jakle) in the wide open expanse of Wyoming. She's from Texas, and she's sharing with him her innermost thoughts. When he approaches her, he seems to be comforting her in a time of need. But when he places his hand on her neck, she quickly realizes what is happening. She can't run, it's already too late. And Kendrick, fixing on the sheer size difference between Sarah and Alcala, captures the fear on her face as all of her hope suddenly drains from her body.

The timeline and narrative hops around for awhile before it becomes totally clear what story is being told. "The Dating Game" sequence — yes, Alcala did really appear on the show in the late 1970s — sets up another plot thread where a woman in the studio audience (Nicolette Robinson) recognizes Alcala from a previous encounter and tries to warn producers about him. She's dismissed, and Alacala once again evades capture.

Kendrick simply and effectively frames situations where women are rightfully fearful of men. After "The Dating Game" taping, Bradshaw doesn't quite know the extent of Alcala's menace, but she knows enough to be spooked, and there's a frightening sequence where he stalks her in an empty parking lot — first from afar, and then from very close. Earlier, Bradshaw is put in a compromising position by her neighbor Terry (Pete Holmes), whom she thinks is just helping him run lines, until she realizes his ulterior motives. Even "Dating Game" host Ed Burke (Tony Hale) is casually misogynistic toward Bradshaw. Kendrick knows that for women the world is a minefield.

Throughout the film she threads the story of Amy (Autumn Best), a drifter who Alcala meets in San Gabriel, California, and who eventually takes him down after using her smarts and playing on Alcala's weaknesses. The film honors her strength, and even when Kendrick takes the long way around, she makes her point about women in the world. "What are girls for?" Bradshaw asks the contestants on "The Dating Game" panel, and the fact that the men fumble their answers tells you everything you need to know.

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'WOMAN OF THE HOUR'

Grade: B

MPA rating: R (for language, violent content, some drug use and a sexual reference)

Running time: 1:35

How to watch: On Netflix Oct. 18

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