Rodney Alcala was a notorious serial killer who terrorized the United States in the 1970s, leaving behind a trail of brutal crimes. Known as the Dating Game Killer due to his appearance on a popular game show, Alcala’s story is brought to life in Woman of the Hour, a Netflix film directed by and starring Anna Kendrick. This chilling movie explores the harrowing real-life events surrounding Alcala’s participation in The Dating Game and the crimes that made him infamous.
Alcala’s Appearance on The Dating Game
Rodney Alcala’s appearance on The Dating Game in 1978 is central to the film’s narrative. In real life, Alcala was introduced to viewers as a “successful photographer” and won the competition, securing a date with bachelorette **Sheryl Bradshaw** (portrayed by Kendrick). However, Bradshaw quickly felt uneasy about Alcala and refused to go on the date, citing “weird vibes.” This unease mirrors what **Jed Mills**, one of the other contestants on the show, described: “He was creepy… very unlikable and rude.”
In Woman of the Hour, Daniel Zovatto plays Alcala, capturing his unnerving persona as depicted by those who encountered him. While the film remains true to the show’s events, including Bradshaw’s discomfort, it uses dramatic license to portray some aspects, particularly the interactions between Alcala and the other contestants.
Alcala’s Murders and Modus Operandi
Rodney Alcala was a violent predator long before his television appearance. In 1968, a year before The Dating Game, Alcala lured and brutally assaulted 8-year-old Tali Shapiro. He fled to New York to evade justice but was eventually captured. However, Shapiro’s parents refused to let her testify, which allowed Alcala to avoid serious charges and continue his deadly spree.
The film portrays Alcala’s use of photography as a method to manipulate and lure victims. In real life, he posed as a fashion photographer, convincing women and girls to model for him. Many of these women, including his victims, were found in sexually explicit photos he kept, some of which helped connect him to additional murders decades later.
Talking about the story, Anna Kendrick claimed the following, according to Tudum:
“As incongruous as it was, that was Sondheim,” Kendrick told Tudum, referring to the renowned composer and lyricist. She drew a parallel to the conclusion of Into the Woods, saying,
“That was the chord resolving at the end… and then one last ‘I wish’ ringing out. Because there wasn’t a perfect resolution: That character had survived, but it wasn’t as simple as ‘She’s going to be fine now.’ It was meant to evoke dissonance at the very least.” Kendrick emphasized that the resolution, or lack thereof, reflected the unsettling nature of survival after trauma — a victory tainted by lasting scars.”
Kendrick continued:
“There were so many heroes in this story, but the heroes were outnumbered and outgunned by incompetence and negligence and a culture that did not prioritize victims.”
Comparing Cast and Real-Life Characters
Woman of the Hour features a compelling cast, each portraying individuals directly or indirectly affected by Alcala’s crimes. Anna Kendrick plays Sheryl Bradshaw, the unsuspecting bachelorette who narrowly avoided becoming one of Alcala’s victims. Daniel Zovatto, as Alcala, brings a sinister charm to the role, embodying the duality of a man who could win over TV audiences while committing horrific acts.
Another significant character is Laura (played by Nicolette Robinson), a composite figure representing the many women who crossed paths with Alcala and failed to see justice for years. In reality, Alcala faced numerous accusations and arrests, often slipping through the cracks due to a lack of evidence or procedural failures. For instance, in 1979, Alcala was released on bail after one of his victims made a frantic 911 call. This allowed him to murder two more victims before his final capture.
Alcala’s Arrest and Conviction
Rodney Alcala’s reign of terror came to an end in 1979 after the murder of Robin Samsoe, a 12-year-old girl whose disappearance led to an extensive investigation. Alcala was initially convicted of Samsoe’s murder in 1980, but legal technicalities resulted in multiple retrials. He was eventually linked to five more murders through DNA evidence, earning him the death penalty in 2010.
However, Alcala’s crimes spanned far beyond what he was convicted of. Authorities believe he may have killed as many as 130 people. Despite numerous arrests and even being interviewed by task forces, Alcala managed to evade serious punishment for years, a point that Woman of the Hour poignantly illustrates. Alcala died of natural causes in 2021 while still on death row.
Woman of the Hour offers a chilling reminder of how easily predators like Rodney Alcala can slip through. The film recounts his appearance on The Dating Game and sheds light on the failures of the justice system and the many lives destroyed by his actions. Through Kendrick’s direction and Zovatto’s portrayal, the movie successfully captures the terror and tragedy of Alcala’s real-life story, leaving viewers with a haunting reflection on the dangers lurking behind seemingly ordinary faces.
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