Pitch Perfect actress reveals she donated her entire pay from new popular Netflix film to charity because it made her ‘feel gross’

Anna Kendrick has revealed that she donated all the money she made from her Netflix’s movie Woman of the Hour to charity.

The actress , 39, made her directorial debut with the new film, which follows serial killer Rodney Alcala – who appeared on a 1970s dating show in the midst of his crimes.

She said she didn’t expect the film to make any money and it was only up until the premiere that she began to think about how popular it would be.

Speaking to Ashley Flowers, host of SiriusXM’s Crime Junkie AF podcast, the actress said: ‘This was never a money-making venture for me.

‘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.”

Anna Kendrick has revealed that she donated all the money she made from her Netflix ‘s movie Woman of the Hour to charity because it made her feel ‘gross’

The star said explained that this is when her conscience began to kick in. ‘I asked myself the question of, “Do you feel gross about this?” And I did,’ she said.

At the time, Netflix was reported to have paid $11m (£8.5m) for the rights.

While Anna didn’t disclose her fee, she said she donated to charities Rainn (the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) and the National Centre for Victims of Crime.

‘That felt like the least that I could do,’ she added.

In the first two weeks of being released on Netflix, Woman of the Hour was watched the equivalent of 23 million times and its Tomatometer hiked up to 92 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. 

Woman of the Hour focuses on Cheryl Bradshaw (Anna) – a California woman attempting to enter the entertainment industry.

Bradshaw’s journey leads her to become a contestant on a 1978 episode of The Dating Game, which featured Alcala.

The star, 39, made her directorial debut with the new film, which follows serial killer who appeared on a 1970s TV dating show in the midst of his crimes (pictured Anna in Woman of the Hour)

The star, 39, made her directorial debut with the new film, which follows serial killer who appeared on a 1970s TV dating show in the midst of his crimes (pictured Anna in Woman of the Hour)

The film is based on the true events of American serial killer Rodney Alcala, who is pictured here in court in 2013

The film is based on the true events of American serial killer Rodney Alcala, who is pictured here in court in 2013

Anna played Cheryl, a character based on Cheryl Bradshaw, a 28-year-old woman who in 1978 went on the popular game show and matched with Alcala

Anna played Cheryl, a character based on Cheryl Bradshaw, a 28-year-old woman who in 1978 went on the popular game show and matched with Alcala 

She asked questions and conversed with all three contestants before choosing to go on a date with Alcala.

What Bradshaw didn’t know was Alcala’s troubling past, and the heinous murders he committed before appearing on the show.

The hopeful bachelorette eventually got a strange vibe from Alcala, and she ultimately refused to to go on a date with him.

Alcala’s crime spree started years before he killed his alleged first murder victim in 1971.

He assaulted several young women while he was in the army in the 1960s, and nearly killed eight-year-old Tali Shapiro in 1968.

Alcala escaped law enforcement, and murdered at least four more women before appearing on The Dating Game.

Pictured: Rodney Alcala as portrayed in 'Woman of the Hour' played by Daniel Zovatto

Pictured: Rodney Alcala as portrayed in ‘Woman of the Hour’ played by Daniel Zovatto

It took years for law enforcement to finally capture ‘The Dating Game’ killer for good in 1979, but he had already murdered Jill Parenteau and 12-year-old Robin Samsoe before they arrested him.

He was eventually linked to eight murders, but law enforcement believe his victim count could be as high as 130.

Alcala died of natural causes while on death row in 2021, and Bradshaw seemingly lives a quiet life after having moved away from California.

***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk