New film portrays the tale of the 'TV dating show killer.'

New film portrays the tale of the 'TV dating show killer.'

Tony Hale stars as the TV host, with Anna Kendrick
and Daniel Zovatto taking on the roles of Cheryl
Bradshaw and Rodney Alcala, respectively.

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A new Netflix film dramatizes the true story of a serial killer who participated in a TV dating show while committing his crimes.

**Woman of the Hour**, directed by Anna Kendrick, focuses on the notorious Rodney Alcala, infamously dubbed the "Dating Game Killer."

In 1978, Alcala appeared as a contestant on the Blind Date-style show, just two years before he was convicted of murdering a 12-year-old girl.

Ultimately, he was found guilty of eight murders, though it is believed he may have killed many more women and girls. Alcala passed away in prison in 2021.

Who was Rodney Alcala?

Rodney Alcala seen during his sentencing in 2010.

Rodney Alcala was a serial killer and sex offender convicted of eight murders in New York, California, and Wyoming between 1971 and 1979, although he is suspected of having killed over 100 women and girls.

Disguising himself as a fashion photographer, Alcala often approached women with compliments and asked to take their pictures. 

In 1980, he was sentenced to death in California for the murder of 12-year-old Robin Samsoe. However, the California Supreme Court later overturned his sentence, leading to a retrial. He received the same penalty in a second trial in 1986, but that decision was also overturned in 2003.

In the years that followed, investigators uncovered forensic evidence linking him to additional murders in California. At a new trial in 2010, Alcala was found guilty of killing Samsoe and four other women, aged 18 to 32, between 1977 and 1979.

While in custody in 1994, Alcala authored a book titled *You, the Jury*, in which he maintained his innocence. 

In 2012, he was extradited to New York after being charged with two more murders from 1971 and 1977. He pleaded guilty and received a sentence of 25 years to life in New York.

In 2016, he faced charges for the 1977 murder of Christine Ruth Thornton, identified through one of his photographs.

Alcala passed away of natural causes in 2021 at the age of 77 in a hospital near Corcoran state prison in California.

What dating show did he appear on?

*The Dating Game* has a format similar to that of the UK's *Blind Date*.

Alcala is retrospectively known as the Dating Game Killer due to his appearance on television while he was actively committing murders.

In September 1978, he participated in *The Dating Game*, a U.S. TV show similar to the UK's *Blind Date*. The format involved a single woman asking questions to three unseen potential partners, with the audience able to see all three.

At the end of the show, the woman would choose one man based on their responses. Alcala was likely selected for his tall, handsome, and charming demeanor, as producers did not conduct a background check.

In the episode, Alcala was chosen by Cheryl Bradshaw, but she later decided against going on the date after finding him "creepy" during a backstage conversation. That choice likely saved her life.

The original episode featuring Bradshaw and Alcala is no longer fully available; only snippets can be found online.

How is he portrayed in the new film?

Alcala pretended to be a fashion photographer and asked women if he could take their pictures.

*Woman of the Hour* opens in 1977, featuring Alcala as he encourages a woman named Sarah to share details of her personal life while photographing her in a remote Wyoming mountain area.

The mood shifts dramatically when Alcala suddenly becomes aggressive and attacks her, setting the tone for how he preys on various women throughout the film.

The narrative jumps around, following several storylines that center on different women. While the murders themselves are not depicted on screen, the film focuses on Alcala's initial interactions with these women and the moments leading up to the killings.

A significant portion of the movie centers on the day the *Dating Game* episode was filmed. In addition to directing, Kendrick portrays Cheryl Bradshaw, the woman who appeared on the show with Alcala.

Although based on true events, the film takes some creative liberties. For example, Bradshaw is shown defying the dating show host by asking her own questions, lending the film a more feminist perspective than what actually occurred.

Additionally, the date between Bradshaw and Alcala is fictionalized; in reality, they never progressed to a date, but the film imagines their outing to a bar and a subsequent altercation in the parking lot.

What has Anna Kendrick shared?

Many critics noted that Kendrick, who is primarily known as an actress, demonstrates considerable potential as a director.

Anna Kendrick was initially set to produce and star in the film, but she later also took on the role of director. In promotional materials, the 39-year-old acknowledged that some might find her choice surprising.

Kendrick is best known for her roles in the *Pitch Perfect* series and the comedy-drama *Up in the Air*, which earned her an Oscar nomination, as well as her appearances in the *Twilight* films.

"I can see why a movie that begins with an act of violence might not seem like it fits my usual style," she said. "But I've had experiences that allow me to relate to being with someone who suddenly feels deeply unsafe."

Discussing the project, she noted, "The story is compelling because it highlights the absurdity of a dangerous, violent man appearing on a show like *The Dating Game*, where the aim is to find a good match—and actually winning. It’s darkly ironic."

When asked about her approach to depicting violence, she replied, "My philosophy is that beautiful things should be portrayed beautifully, while awful things should reflect their true nature. However, the violence in the film is rarely literal or explicit; I aimed to convey its impact without sanitizing it."

*Woman of the Hour* premiered at last year's Toronto International Film Festival, but Kendrick and the cast were unable to attend or promote the film at that time due to ongoing Hollywood strikes.