In her directorial debut, Woman of the Hour, Anna Kendrick delves into a poignant true crime narrative, effectively highlighting systemic misogyny while adhering closely to real-life events in its conclusion.
This film offers a novel perspective on the true crime genre, especially following the backlash against Monsters. As noted in our four-star review, “Kendrick focuses on capturing emotion rather than sensationalizing the narrative. Ryan Murphy, take note.”
The storyline of Woman of the Hour revolves around notorious serial killer Rodney Alcala, interwoven with the experiences of Cheryl Bradshaw. Bradshaw famously evaded danger when she participated in The Dating Game in 1978 and selected Alcala from a group of suitors, only to have her instincts warn her against proceeding.
The unsettling demeanor of Alcala prompted her to cancel their planned date. Through this harrowing tale, Kendrick and writer Ian McDonald shed light on the multitude of women whose testimonies went ignored, resulting in tragic outcomes. **Spoiler Alert:** This article contains details that may be upsetting for some readers.
Understanding the Ending of Woman of the Hour
The climax of Woman of the Hour depicts a semblance of justice as Rodney Alcala, portrayed by Daniel Zovatto, is apprehended at a gas station by police, mirroring the true events that unfolded.
Before his arrest, Alcala encounters Amy (played by Autumn Best), a teenage runaway, enticing her with his interest in photography and persuading her to accompany him to the mountains for a photoshoot.
During the shoot, Alcala attacks and sexually assaults Amy, a harrowing scene depicted off-screen. She awakens, bound and injured, with Alcala beside her, sobbing. In a show of bravery, she pretends to play along, asking him tenderly, “I guess things got pretty wild last night… Can you keep this between us? I’d be so embarrassed.”
Amy’s request to return to his residence hints at Alcala’s sociopathy; he lacks the ability to grasp her distress or unease.
Rodney Alcala managed to evade capture for an extended period
After departing in his vehicle, Alcala makes a brief stop, affording Amy the chance to escape to a nearby diner and contact law enforcement. Upon emerging from the restroom, Alcala discovers Amy is gone and hears sirens approaching.
This closely aligns with the actual events that transpired in February 1979, when Alcala picked up 15-year-old hitchhiker Monique Hoyt, whom he assaulted before taking her to a remote location.
Ultimately, Woman of the Hour concludes with a stark message: “A teenage runaway managed to evade Rodney Alcala by requesting him to keep their encounter a secret.”
Adding to the horror, even after Amy’s report led to his arrest, he was released on bail.
The film underscores the failures of law enforcement, noting, “Once released, he went on to murder a 21-year-old woman and a 12-year-old girl.”
Amy symbolizes the teenager whose actions led to Alcala’s initial arrest
It was only later in the year that Alcala faced re-arrest, prompting law enforcement to grasp the breadth of his crimes. Although he was charged with seven murders, some estimates propose the total number of his victims could reach up to 130.
The closing statement of Woman of the Hour reads, “For over a decade, Alcala had been reported to authorities by survivors and citizens, yet faced no repercussions.”
Cheryl Bradshaw’s Fate
After narrowly escaping danger from Alcala on The Dating Game, Cheryl Bradshaw, as portrayed by Kendrick, is depicted as leaving Los Angeles to pursue a quieter life, abandoning her acting aspirations.
The film notes that she “departed California to seek a private life and raise a family,” which limited the material available for Kendrick and McDonald to expand on Bradshaw’s story.
Cheryl’s story is narrated with sensitivity, reflecting societal attitudes towards women during that era. In both reality and in Woman of the Hour, Bradshaw did select Alcala from the lineup but later chose to cancel their date.
In a rare 2012 interview with the Sydney Telegraph, she recounted, “I began to feel unwell. He was behaving in a strange manner. I declined his invitation; I didn’t want another encounter.”
The film expands on Bradshaw’s narrative by creating a fictional scene where she goes out for drinks with Alcala immediately following the episode.
During their outing, his demeanor shifts unsettlingly, causing her anxiety. When he catches on to her giving him a false number, she has no choice but to be truthful: she won’t be meeting him again. He reacts with a threat, stating under his breath, “You’re gonna get your f**king head bashed in.”
He then trails her to her car. Thankfully, when a group of men from the studio appears, Alcala retreats.
Criminal profiler Pat Brown speculated whether Bradshaw’s rejection intensified Alcala’s violent inclinations, particularly since he murdered at least three women after this incident. “One has to wonder how that rejection impacted him,” Brown remarked to CNN.
“Psychopaths cannot process rejection. They believe the fault lies with the woman: ‘She played me. She played hard to get. She wanted to escape.’”
While this does not place blame on the victim, it elucidates Alcala as a profoundly dangerous individual, likely devoid of empathy, who should have faced incarceration long before these events escalated.
Woman of the Hour is currently available for streaming on Netflix. For more true crime content, check out the latest documentaries coming to streaming services this month.
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