‘Woman of the Hour’ is inspiring true crime junkies to learn more about the terrifying killer it’s based on

Anna Kendrick’s directorial debut, Woman of the Hour, dives into the chilling story of Rodney Alcala, known as The Dating Game Killer. The film portrays Alcala (played by Daniel Zovatto) and centers around Cheryl Bradshaw, the aspiring actress Kendrick portrays, who infamously chose Alcala as the winner of a dating game show in the 1970s, only to feel uneasy about him after their backstage interactions.

Critics and audiences have responded positively to the film, praising its nuanced take on the societal structures that allowed Alcala to operate freely for so long. Instead of glorifying serial killers, Woman of the Hour presents them as “unimpressive narcissistic charlatans,” emphasizing the blind spots in society that permitted Alcala’s nonchalance and ultimately allowed him to appear on television during a killing spree.

Despite taking creative liberties with Alcala’s story, including fictional characters and scenarios, the film ends with a factual title card that reveals the grim reality of Alcala’s crimes. Notably, the film highlights the failures of law enforcement to stop Alcala, who was already a registered sex offender with a history of violent crimes against minors when he appeared on the show. During the late 1970s, Alcala’s reign of terror continued, culminating in his 1979 arrest after a 15-year-old hitchhiker, Monique Hoyt, escaped him.

However, even after his arrest, Alcala was released on bail, leading to the murders of at least two more women before being tried and sentenced to death in 1980. Over the years, his verdicts were overturned on technicalities, and he was only finally sentenced again in 2010 after a long and convoluted legal battle.

The film shines a light on the disturbing reality of how many victims Alcala had, estimated to be over 130, and how the justice system failed them repeatedly. Commenters on social media expressed outrage over the police’s negligence, noting the many survivors who reported Alcala before he appeared on the show and highlighting the tragic consequences of not believing victims.

Ultimately, Woman of the Hour not only tells a gripping true crime story but also serves as a poignant commentary on the failures of the justice system and societal attitudes toward survivors of violence.