Woman of the Hour is a gripping crime thriller that explores the chilling true story of serial killer Rodney Alcala, infamously referred to as ‘The Dating Game Killer.’ The film had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 8, 2023, and is anticipated to debut on Netflix on Friday, October 18, 2024.
The narrative of Woman of the Hour delves into the harrowing events of 1978 when Rodney Alcala encountered Cheryl Bradshaw while participating in the popular game show, The Dating Game. According to Netflix’s official synopsis:
“This stranger-than-fiction tale revolves around an aspiring actress in 1970s Los Angeles and a serial murderer in the throes of a prolonged killing spree, whose paths converge during an episode of The Dating Game.”
Woman of the Hour adheres closely to the authentic account of Rodney Alcala’s fleeting interaction with Cheryl Bradshaw on The Dating Game in 1978, although it does take creative liberties and introduces some fictional elements to enhance the storytelling.
Woman of the Hour: Reality vs. Imagination
This film is set in the turbulent era of the 1970s and centers around the infamous criminal, Rodney Alcala (played by Daniel Zovatto). Between 1968 and his capture in 1979, Alcala was responsible for the kidnapping, assault, and murder of nearly 130 women and young girls. His reign of terror escalated throughout California from 1977 to 1979.
During this period, he participated as a contestant on an episode of The Dating Game in 1978. The show’s bachelorette, Cheryl Bradshaw, had the opportunity to meet three potential suitors, including Alcala, all while the audience remained unaware of his sinister background.
Questions Cheryl Posed to Contestants on The Dating Game
In a pivotal scene, as Cheryl interacts with the three contestants, she chooses to bypass the flirtatious inquiries scripted on her cue cards, asking instead, “What are girls for?”
In reality, Cheryl’s actual question to Rodney (Bachelor #1) was, “What’s your best time?” He cryptically replied, “The best time is at night… night time is when it gets really good,” a response that, in retrospect, could allude to his heinous activities.
When Cheryl further questioned Rodney, “I’m serving you for dinner. What do you go by, and what’s your appearance?” , Rodney cheekily replied, “I’m called the banana, and I look appealing,” adding, “Peel me.” His audacious responses impressed Cheryl, leading her to select him as the episode’s winner.
The Truth About Cheryl and Rodney’s Evening in Woman of the Hour
A significant part of the film depicting the date between Cheryl and Rodney is entirely fictional. In reality, Cheryl did not meet Rodney for a date after the show. The producers had organized a tennis outing followed by a visit to Magic Mountain for the day after their televised appearance, but Cheryl decided to cancel. She reported feeling unnerved by Rodney’s presence.
In a 2021 interview, Ellen Metzger, The Dating Game’s contestant coordinator, recalled Cheryl’s call where she expressed her discomfort:
“I can’t go out with this guy; there are strange vibes coming from him. He’s very weird. I just don’t feel safe.”
Thanks to her intuition, Cheryl managed to evade becoming one of Alcala’s many victims.
Rodney was apprehended a year later, in July 1979, and subsequently spent the rest of his life incarcerated, passing away from natural causes at 77 on July 24, 2021.
Overview and Cast of Woman of the Hour
Woman of the Hour presents a stark reminder of the dangers facing women in California during the 1970s.
Leading the cast are Anna Kendrick as Cheryl Bradshaw and Daniel Zovatto portraying the serial killer, Rodney Alcala. Their paths intersect on the 1978 episode of The Dating Game, hosted by Ed Burke, played by Tony Hale. As their date unfolds, Cheryl becomes increasingly uncomfortable due to Rodney’s unsettling demeanor.
Unbeknownst to her, Rodney is a predatory serial murderer searching for his next target. The ensemble cast also features Nicolette Robinson as Laura, Pete Holmes as Terry, Taylor Hastings as Melanie, Autumn Best as Amy, and Jessie Fraser as Lisa. Additional supporting characters include Kathryn Gallagher as Charlie, Dylan Schmid as Mario, Michael Jonsson as Harold, Matthew Kevin Anderson as Mark, Darcy Laurie as Marty, Jedidiah Goodacre as Arnie, Kelley Jakle as Sarah, and Max Lloyd-Jones as Ken.
Furthermore, the film includes Matt Visser Josh as Bachelor #1, Jedidiah Goodacre as Bachelor #2, Jason Simpson as the voice of the announcer, and Marc Gaudet as the head mover.
Keep an eye out for more information on Woman of the Hour and other exciting developments as we approach 2024.
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