In 1978, Rodney Alcala, a notorious serial killer, appeared as a contestant on The Dating Game while hiding his gruesome crimes. Though he charmed the bachelorette and the audience, Alcala was already in the middle of a killing spree. This film portrays the chilling true story behind his shocking appearance on the popular dating show, exploring how someone so dangerous could slip past the producers and the public.
Who Was Cheryl Bradshaw and How Did She Escape?
In the film, Cheryl Bradshaw, the bachelorette who picked Rodney Alcala on The Dating Game, is given the fictional name “Sheryl.” In real life, Cheryl sensed something unsettling about Alcala after the show and ultimately rejected their planned date. This decision likely saved her life. The movie captures this pivotal moment, though it adds some fictional elements to Cheryl’s background, like portraying her as a struggling actress rather than a drama teacher.
Rodney Alcala’s Crimes Before The Dating Game
Before appearing on The Dating Game, Rodney Alcala had already brutally attacked and killed several women. The film touches on his criminal past without delving into graphic detail but highlights the failures of law enforcement and society at the time. The lack of coordination among police allowed Alcala to continue his killing spree undetected for years, and Woman of the Hour uses this to emphasize the systemic flaws that protected predators like Alcala.
What Parts of Woman of the Hour Are Fictional?
While Woman of the Hour sticks closely to real events, some fictionalized elements were added for dramatic effect. One such character in the film is a woman who recognizes Alcala from his past crimes and tries to warn others during the taping of The Dating Game. This character is not based on a real individual, but she represents the warnings that went ignored by authorities and people in Alcala’s life. The movie also portrays Alcala as working for the Los Angeles Times as a photographer, while in reality, he worked as a typesetter who pretended to be a professional photographer to lure his victims.
Depicting Rodney Alcala in Woman of the Hour: Not Glamorous
Anna Kendrick’s Woman of the Hour avoids glamorizing Rodney Alcala, despite his reputation as a “charming” killer. The movie focuses on his manipulation and sinister behavior, rather than his looks or charisma. This approach ensures that the spotlight remains on his victims and the true horror of his crimes. Woman of the Hour reframes the media’s traditional portrayal of serial killers, emphasizing the reality of their predatory behavior rather than romanticizing them as mysterious figures.
How The Dating Game Allowed a Serial Killer to Appear on TV
One of the most shocking aspects of the true story behind Woman of the Hour is how Rodney Alcala, a convicted criminal and active serial killer, was able to appear on a popular TV show like The Dating Game. In the 1970s, background checks for contestants were minimal, allowing Alcala to slip through the cracks. This failure is a key theme in the film, where Kendrick highlights how society and institutions failed to protect women from predators like Alcala, who operated right under their noses.
Conclusion
Woman of the Hour tells the terrifying true story of Rodney Alcala, the serial killer who charmed millions on The Dating Game. Anna Kendrick’s film blends fact and fiction to explore how a killer manipulated the public and escaped detection. By focusing on Alcala’s victims and the systemic failures that let him thrive, the movie offers a powerful reminder of how predators can hide in plain sight.
