Woman of the Year

Woman of the Year

Year: 1942

Runtime: 114 min

Language: English

Director: George Stevens

DramaSportComedyRomance

A cynical sports writer and a sophisticated international journalist find themselves drawn to each other despite their differing perspectives. Their initial witty exchanges and playful debates about sports evolve into a surprising romance, culminating in marriage. However, their relationship faces challenges as they attempt to bridge the gap between their very different professional lives and personal worlds.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Woman of the Year yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Woman of the Year (1942)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Woman of the Year (1942). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1971-1979

The film spans the late 1970s, a tumultuous period marked by cultural shifts and social movements in America. This era saw the rise of television and dating shows, which impacted personal relationships and societal norms. The backdrop of crime and the struggle for women's rights are significant themes, intertwined with the personal tragedies faced by the characters.

Location

Los Angeles, Wyoming, New York City, San Gabriel

The movie takes place in various locations across the United States. Los Angeles serves as the backdrop for Sheryl Bradshaw's struggles as an actress and highlights the glitzy yet dangerous world of television. Wyoming is known for its vast plains, which become a site of tragedy. New York City showcases the vibrant life of a flight attendant navigating her new apartment, while San Gabriel represents the darker side of society where troubled youth wander.

🌆 City 🏞️ Nature 📸 Photography

Last Updated: January 18, 2025 at 14:35

Main Characters – Woman of the Year (1942)

Meet the key characters of Woman of the Year (1942), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Sheryl Bradshaw

Sheryl is a determined yet vulnerable actress striving for recognition in a challenging industry. Her conviction to break free from societal expectations is tested when she faces the dark side of fame and dating. She embodies resilience, yet her experiences with Rodney leave a lasting impact.

🎬 Actress 💪 Strength 🎤 Role Model

Rodney Alcala

Rodney is a charismatic yet dangerous predator who manipulates his way into the lives of young women. His charm masks a sinister intent, showcasing the duality of his character as both a skilled manipulator and a cold-blooded killer. The film portrays him as a representation of hidden threats in society.

🕵️‍♂️ Villain 🔪 Danger 🎭 Deception

Last Updated: January 18, 2025 at 14:35

Major Themes – Woman of the Year (1942)

Explore the central themes of Woman of the Year (1942), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💔 Tragedy

The movie explores tragic themes through the lens of crime and victimization. Each character experiences profound pain, from Sheryl's life-altering encounter with Rodney to the loss of innocence faced by young women. The narrative serves as a reminder of the risks that exist in vulnerable situations.

🎭 Identity

Identity takes center stage, particularly regarding Sheryl's journey as an actress. She grapples with self-image and societal expectations within the entertainment industry. The contrast between public personas and private fears highlights the complexity of personal identity in the face of danger.

Last Updated: January 18, 2025 at 14:35

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Chilling True Crime Investigations like Woman of the Year

Gripping accounts of real-life predators and the flawed justice systems that fail to stop them.If you were gripped by the real-life horror in Woman of the Year, explore more movies like it. This collection features similar true crime stories, focusing on serial killer investigations, survivor accounts, and justice system failures that create a tense and harrowing viewing experience.

true crimedisturbingtensegrippingominousharrowingpsychological terror

Narrative Summary

These narratives typically follow the pattern of a criminal investigation, interweaving perspectives from law enforcement, survivors, and the killer. The story is often non-linear, tracing a timeline of crimes and near-misses to build a comprehensive and terrifying picture of the subject. The journey is one of pursuit and revelation, often concluding with a bleak acknowledgment of the tragedy that occurred.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here based on their foundation in documented true crime, their disturbing and dark tone, and their focus on the psychological terror inflicted by a predator. They share a high intensity, heavy emotional weight, and a gripping, fast-paced structure that maintains relentless tension.

High-Intensity Survival Thrillers like Woman of the Year

Stories of ordinary people facing relentless predators in a fight for survival.For viewers who found the survival narrative in Woman of the Year intensely gripping, this section collects similar thriller movies. These films focus on characters facing a direct, violent threat, creating a fast-paced, suspenseful, and disturbing journey of survival against a cunning antagonist.

survivalsuspensefultenseharrowingpredatorviolentchilling

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern focuses on a protagonist's direct confrontation with a lethal adversary. The story builds from a state of normalcy into sudden, extreme danger, maintaining a fast pace as the victim uses their wits and resilience to endure. The conflict is raw and personal, emphasizing the physical and psychological toll of the struggle.

Why These Movies?

These films are connected by their central theme of survival against a violent predator. They share a high-intensity, fast-paced viewing experience dominated by tension and suspense. The emotional weight is heavy, and the tone is uniformly dark and disturbing, creating a consistently harrowing vibe.

Unlock the Full Story of Woman of the Year

Don't stop at just watching — explore Woman of the Year in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Woman of the Year is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Woman of the Year Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Woman of the Year, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Woman of the Year Summary

Woman of the Year Timeline

Track the full timeline of Woman of the Year with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Woman of the Year Timeline

Woman of the Year Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Woman of the Year that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Woman of the Year Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Woman of the Year

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Woman of the Year: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Woman of the Year

Similar Movies to Woman of the Year

Discover movies like Woman of the Year that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.