Netflix’s Woman of the Hour has received significant attention since its release as Anna Kendrick’s directorial debut, but many viewers may be surprised to learn that the film is based on a true story.
The narrative centers on Sheryl Bradshaw—played by Anna herself—a contestant on The Dating Game, who unknowingly went on a date with Rodney Alcala, a serial killer who targeted women. The film examines the events surrounding the criminal’s appearance on the show in 1978 and the unsettling reality of his criminal activities. Ahead, see how the events unfolded in the real-life story.
What Is “Woman of the Hour” About?
Woman of the Hour dramatizes the eerie encounter between Rodney Alcala and aspiring actress Sheryl Bradshaw (whose real name was Cheryl), a contestant on The Dating Game who unknowingly selected the serial killer as her match.
In 1978, Rodney was introduced on the show as a charming, fun-loving bachelor, but behind this facade hid a dangerous criminal with an already terrifying streak of murders.
While serial killer stories often highlight the criminal, Woman of the Hour focuses more on the survivors, such as the protagonist of the film. This marks a significant choice for Pitch Perfect actress Anna Kendrick for her directorial debut. “When Anna signed on to direct, she said the thing she always found interesting was that it’s a movie about the danger that comes with our willingness to be intimate with another person,” screenwriter Ian McDonald tells Tudum. “And that’s the case every time you go on a date with someone you don’t know—you’re making yourself vulnerable. Of course, the flip side is you also don’t want to close yourself off to the world. And so it’s a vulnerability that’s necessary, but again, comes with risk.”
The Real-Life Serial Killer Story Behind “Woman of the Hour”
Who Was Rodney Alcala?
Rodney Alcala, who became infamously known as “The Dating Game Killer,” was a convicted serial killer and rapist whose crimes spanned over a decade. The killer’s criminal activities began in the late 1960s, and by the time of his arrest, he was linked to the murders of at least seven women, though authorities suspect he may have had over 100 victims. A skilled manipulator, the killer often lured his victims by posing as a professional photographer, convincing them to let him take their photos before attacking them. His charm and intelligence made him a master at masking his true nature, according to reports.
The film, meanwhile, hopes to shed light on the narratives of the lives cut short by the criminal, as well as the underlying misogynistic themes that plague women even today. “I’m not really interested in the real Rodney,” says Anna to Tudum. “I was more interested in trying to depict the kind of experience that we are more likely to have.”
Rodney Alcala’s Appearance in “The Dating Game”
One of the most bizarre aspects of Rodney Alcala’s story is his appearance on the reality series in 1978. Despite being a registered sex offender, the serial killer managed to participate as a contestant on the popular show, where he was introduced as a "successful photographer" who enjoyed outdoor adventures.
After the show ended, Cheryl was supposed to go on a date with Alcala. However, she quickly changed her mind, citing a sense of discomfort and unease about him. She later reported feeling “weird vibes,” a decision that likely saved her life.
“The hard part is diving into the story and the research,” says Anna to Today.com, “and just realizing how frequently this person was allowed to slip through the cracks in the system because the system was really not set up to prioritize victims.”
What happened to Rodney Alcala?
Cheryl’s intuition proved to be accurate when, just a few years later, Rodney was arrested and charged with multiple murders, including those of at least three more women after appearing in the show. According to reports, Rodney was sentenced to death for the kidnapping and murder of Robin Samsoe in 1980, with the sentence overturned. He would later be sentenced to death again years later in 1986, which would again be overturned.
Reports cited that new DNA evidence linked the serial killer to the murders of multiple women would emerge. Rodney stood trial in 2010, where he was found guilty of five counts of first-degree murder, then pleaded guilty to two different murders. He was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison and eventually died in 2021 when he was 77 years old due to Alzheimer's disease, as he awaited execution.
What happened to the real Cheryl Bradshaw?
In an interview with IndieWire, screenwriter Ian McDonald recalled that their team had “tried to get ahold of the original Cheryl.”
“I looked for her, just couldn’t find her anywhere and sort of took that as a sign that she didn’t want this 15-minute encounter to define her life, and so I tried to respect that and not pursue [her more],” he said. Much of the story had been based on firsthand encounters, as well as “old newspaper clippings and magazine articles” that reported on the heinous crimes.
Woman of the Hour is streaming on Netflix.
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