Woman of the Hour intricately portrays the chilling saga of serial killer Rodney Alcala and his notorious stint on The Dating Game. Director Anna Kendrick ensured the film captures a haunting aspect drawn directly from the authentic broadcast.
Kendrick not only helms the film but also plays Cheryl, a young aspiring actress who participates in the iconic dating show in hopes of revitalizing her faltering career. Among the contestants is the charismatic yet sinister Rodney Alcala – a real-life murderer believed to have claimed the lives of up to 130 individuals.
The harrowing reality behind Alcala’s heinous acts is even more disturbing than one could fathom, and Woman of the Hour unveils some of the most chilling nuances, particularly Alcala’s unsettling evening on the show.
When reflecting on her insights from the original Dating Game episode, Kendrick emphasized a specific alarming trait: Alcala’s disarming demeanor.
WOMAN OF THE HOUR, one of the best movies of the year, tells the true story of the infamous “Dating Game Killer.” I spoke with star and director @AnnaKendrick47 about the chilling real-life footage from that episode of “The Dating Game.” pic.twitter.com/sVQcpD7xKB
— Jake Hamilton (@JakesTakes) October 15, 2024
“Upon first watching this footage, I noted how boyish Rodney appeared,”she shared [via Jake’s Takes].
“There was an innocence about him that felt unsettling. One could easily see how this charm could be deceiving. The moment he first laughs is quite revealing; you notice a fleeting joy on his face.”
“This reflects the challenge of recognizing when you are near someone who poses a threat. Though several online clips are intriguing, the complete episode seems to have vanished over time.”
“It was exciting to fill that gap creatively in the film, portraying Cheryl’s descent into chaos. As the audience, you’re acutely aware that she’s nearing peril, creating an emotionally complex segment.”
Indeed, the full episode of The Dating Game is not available, but compilation videos can be seen online, offering glimpses into the event.
In reality, although Cheryl selected Alcala as her date, she never met him. After her choice, she reached out to the contestant coordinator the following day to decline the date, describing Alcala as “creepy.”
This decision likely spared her life, as Alcala’s reign of terror continued until his capture in 1979, leading to his eventual conviction for seven murders. He remained incarcerated until his passing at the age of 77.
Currently, you can stream Woman of the Hour on Netflix.
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