Anna Kendrick donated entire profit of Netflix film to charity because it made her feel ‘gross’

What a lovely thing to do

The 39-year-old actor made her directorial debut with the Netflix film, revolves around a series of killings committed by Rodney Alcala in the seventies.

Alcala was a smooth-talking predator who charmed at least eight young women, took their photograph, then murdered them.

The true extent of Alcala’s crimes is unknown – some suggest he may have been responsible for 130 murders.

Kendrick’s film focuses on a surreal moment in Alcala’s spree: his 1978 appearance on the US TV show The Dating Game, where he served as one of three bachelors attempting to woo a young woman named Cheryl, played by Kendrick.

Speaking on the Crime Junkie AF podcast, Kendrick 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'."

The Pitch Perfect star admitted that this was when her conscience began to kick in.

She said: "I asked myself the question of, ‘Do you feel gross about this?’ And I did.

"So, I’m not making money off of the movie. The money is going to — or has gone to — RAINN and to the National Center for Victims of Violent Crime."

The two charities are two of the largest sexual assault non-profit organisations in America.

She added: “That felt like the least that I could do.”

Taking to X fans praised the star saying: "THIS is the kind of behaviour we need from celebrities who choose to deal with delicate/traumatic storylines."

Another added: "Every single true crime documentary, film, TV show etc. should do this. Anna is setting the blueprint."