The Bizarre True Story Behind “Woman of the Hour”

It may seem like a fun Hollywood twist to make a movie about a serial killer who appeared in The Dating Game in the midst of his crime, but in reality it’s not just a tool. This really happened.

Now streaming on Netflix, “Woman of the Hour” tells the story of Rodney Alcala, who later became known as “The Dating Game Killer.” On the other hand, the story isn’t so much about him and his murders as it is about the women – and in this case one woman in particular – he encountered.

That one woman is Cheryl Bradshaw, played by Anna Kendrick, who also makes her directorial debut in the film. A difficult actress, Cheryl decides to go on “The Dating Game” in hopes of gaining some notoriety. But there she meets Rodney as Bachelor No. 3.

In real life, Bradshaw said she went on the show hoping to find true love. But for the most part, the film stays true to reality where it counts.

So here’s what really happened.

Did a serial killer really take part in “The Dating Game” and win?

Yes. Rodney Alacala was actually chosen as a contestant on “The Dating Game.” What’s worse is that he was already on the FBI’s 10 Most Wanted Fugitives list when he was selected and had served time in prison for raping and physically abusing an 8-year-old girl. By this time he had also killed several women.

And yes, Cheryl Bradshaw actually voted him the winning bachelor. But in the real world, she never went on a date with him like it happened in the movie. The real Bradshaw found Alcala scary from the start after getting to know him properly and refused.

Was Rodney Alcala really outwitted by a victim?

He did it. Although her name is changed to Amy in the film, a teenage runaway managed to escape Alcala by asking him to keep their encounter a secret. As he drove her home, he stopped at the restroom of a gas station, where she fled.

In the film, she is the one who ensures that Alcala is captured by the police after she reports the incident. That’s true, but in the real world, Alcala’s mother posted bail and he killed two more girls.

Did Alcala really take photos of his victims?

Yes, he did. In 2010, police across California and New York released 120 photos taken by Alcala in hopes of identifying additional possible victims.

Is Rodney Alcala still alive?

No, that’s not him. Alcala died in prison in 2021.

What happened to Cheryl Bradshaw?

As in the film, the real Bradshaw moved out of California and led a private life. Although she gave an interview to the Sunday Telegraph in 2012, little else is known about her other than her relationship with Alcala.

“Woman of the Hour” is now streaming on Netflix.

The post The Bizarre True Story Behind “Woman of the Hour” appeared first on TheWrap.