Anna Kendrick Donated All Her Netflix Film Earnings After Feeling ‘Uncomfortable’ Making Profit From True Crime

Anna Kendrick has turned a major Netflix project into a meaningful cause, choosing to donate every cent she earned from the film Woman of the Hour to organizations supporting victims of violence.

The Pitch Perfect star took on a chilling role in Woman of the Hour, which dives into the disturbing life of convicted serial killer Rodney Alcala. Alcala, believed to have murdered at least eight women in the 1970s — though some experts think the actual number could be more than 100 — became known not just for his crimes, but for a bizarre appearance on The Dating Game amid his killing spree.

Kendrick played Sheryl, the woman Alcala attempted to charm on the game show, and the film marks her debut as a director — a project that was clearly personal and emotionally weighty for her.

Speaking on the Crime Junkie AF podcast, the 39-year-old actress opened up about why she couldn’t accept money from the film.

“This project was never about profit for me,” Kendrick said. “When Netflix acquired the film, it wasn’t until right before the Toronto International Film Festival that I realized there could actually be a financial return.”

But as soon as she recognized that, Kendrick said she was hit with a wave of discomfort.

“I asked myself, ‘Do you feel okay making money off this?’ And honestly, the answer was no,” she said candidly.

As a result, Kendrick redirected all of her proceeds to two well-respected nonprofit organizations: RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) and the National Center for Victims of Crime. Both groups focus on helping survivors of sexual violence and supporting those affected by serious crimes.

“It just felt like the bare minimum I could do,” she said of her decision.

Many fans and followers praised Kendrick for her choice, with one calling it “a powerful example of compassion in action,” and another saying, “She’s not just an actress, she’s an advocate.”

Beyond the film, Kendrick has also spoken openly about her own experience with a toxic and emotionally abusive relationship. In an interview with The Independent, she described the psychological toll it took on her.

“It’s not always the overt abuse that gets you,” she explained. “Sometimes it’s the way everyone around you pretends it’s not happening. That kind of silence messes with your sense of reality.”

She added, “You start doubting yourself, wondering if you’re being too dramatic or imagining things. And when you’re finally brave enough to speak up, you’re dismissed.”

Kendrick’s words and actions are resonating with many who have faced similar challenges. Woman of the Hour, now streaming on Netflix, isn’t just a film — it’s a reflection of Kendrick’s growing voice in advocacy, as both an artist and a survivor.