Netflix’s Woman of the Hour is set to delve into one of America’s most haunting true crime cases, focusing on Rodney Alcala, better known as the “Dating Game Killer.” Premiering on October 18, this thriller, directed by and starring Anna Kendrick, explores the chilling moment when a notorious serial killer appeared on a popular television show, blending charm with an unspeakable history of violence.
The Dating Game’s Dark Twist
In 1978, Rodney Alcala appeared as a contestant on The Dating Game, a show where a bachelorette picked a date from three men. Alcala’s charisma won over Sheryl Bradshaw, the bachelorette, but she soon sensed something was off and declined the date. Unbeknownst to Bradshaw, her intuition may have saved her life. At the time of his appearance on the show, Alcala had already committed multiple brutal murders, hiding his dark reality behind a smooth-talking persona.
Woman of the Hour captures this eerie contrast—how a murderer could charm an audience while leading a violent double life. The film interweaves this unsettling event with Alcala’s broader crime spree, which lasted for years before he was finally caught.
Alcala’s Horrifying Crimes
Rodney Alcala’s reign of terror spanned several years and states, from California to New York, with law enforcement eventually linking him to seven confirmed murders. However, it is believed that the number could be far higher, with investigators suspecting he might have claimed over 100 lives. His crimes primarily targeted young women, including Cornelia Crilley, Ellen Jane Hover, and Robin Samsoe, leaving behind a legacy of terror.
Alcala’s gruesome acts earned him the infamous moniker, “The Dating Game Killer,” and he was sentenced to death. He spent decades on death row until he passed away from natural causes in 2021.
Hollywood’s Role in a Dark Era
Beyond its exploration of Alcala’s crimes, Woman of the Hour offers commentary on the treatment of women in 1970s Hollywood, where misogyny and objectification were prevalent. Bradshaw’s experience on The Dating Game reflects how women were often ignored or reduced to superficial roles. The film critiques how society, at the time, dismissed women’s concerns—a theme still relevant today.
Premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival to rave reviews, the movie holds a 90% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics have praised its feminist perspective, sharp storytelling, and the light it sheds on the way Alcala’s crimes were able to continue for so long.
A Chilling Legacy
Rodney Alcala’s case has been revisited in various documentaries and dramatizations, yet his appearance on The Dating Game remains one of the most disturbing aspects of his story. His ability to charm those around him, while hiding such a violent reality, serves as a grim reminder that even the most dangerous individuals can blend into society.
Woman of the Hour not only revisits the terror of Alcala’s crimes but also highlights the importance of trusting instincts and the consequences of dismissing women’s warnings. As the movie premieres on Netflix, it will reignite interest in one of the darkest chapters of American true crime history.
