The recently released thriller and mystery film “Woman of the Hour” is loosely centered around “The Dating Game Killer” Rodney Alcala, although it’s still filled with some fiction. “Woman of the Hour” is an excellent movie for those interested in true crime or learning more about the Rodney Alcala case and who can deal with the heavy topics it holds.
Anna Kendrick, well known for her “Pitch Perfect” role, directed and played Sheryl Bradshaw, The woman she is based on is Cheryl Bradshaw, with only one letter being changed in the movie. It is important to mention this movie has implied sexual assault, along with others. If you are sensitive to those kinds of things, watch at your own risk.
This movie has a lot of awkward silent moments, some of which leave you wondering and questioning what is happening. The film switches time and perspective. Without going into too much detail, it follows Sheryl and her experiences of being an upcoming actress in ‘70s Los Angeles, and Rodney Alcala, played by Daniel Zovatto. Rodney is a traveling photographer. Their paths end up meeting when Sheryl and Rodney are both on “The Dating Game” show. Sheryl shows her witty side even after being told to just act “dumb,” and Rodney is the only one of the three contestants able to keep up with it. Throughout the movie, it continues to jump from each girl he has previously taken pictures of and ended up killing. The reason Sheryl went on the show was just to get some publicity, and Rodney seems very angry about this, but he is very passive-aggressive.
There are moments in the movie where it seems like silent horror. For example, after their “date” he asks for her number and obviously being uncomfortable, she gives him a fake and tries to get away. He asks her to repeat the number and gets very obviously upset after she says she had no plans of seeing him beyond that point. After that, he starts to act creepy. She rushes to her car and he begins to follow her in the distance.
Near the end of the movie we see Rodney Alcala being arrested at a rest stop after taking advantage of a young girl. She had asked him to keep the assault a secret, but when they get to the stop and he walks away, she runs to a nearby diner to call the police. In the actual case, she then went on to testify against him after 31 years of him being in prison when he had a chance for acquittal.
Context is shown toward the end, telling us he was released on bail while awaiting trial, and he ended up murdering a 21-year-old woman and a 12-year-old girl. Alcala was reported multiple times to law enforcement for over a decade without anything happening to him.
Overall, “Woman of the Hour” is a very interesting take on Rodney Alcala. Some think it’s unnecessary since this happened so long ago, but it tells the story in a way that catches attention. It was an amazing watch and it’s definitely recommended to give it a try if this is the type of thing you're into. The jumpy timeline is nerve-racking at times, but it helped build the plot. Don’t forget, although there is fiction included in the movie, this was an actual case, and Rodney Alcala was a horrible person. The estimated number of victims was over 130, although he could only be charged for seven women and girls. Cheryl, the actual woman from the dating show with Rodney, went on to leave California living a private life raising a family. Rodney Alcala died while in prison on July 24, 2021.