Netflix’s “Woman of the Hour” Sheds Light on Notorious Case

Netflix is set to release a new gripping film, “Woman of the Hour,” which dramatizes the unsettling true story of a serial killer’s infamous appearance on a 1970s game show. Directed by Anna Kendrick in her directorial debut, the film stars Kendrick and Daniel Zovatto and will premiere on October 18, 2024.

The film tells the story of Sheryl Bradshaw, played by Kendrick, who unwittingly picked Rodney Alcala for a date on “The Dating Game“. Alcala, played by Zovatto, was a charming and seemingly normal contestant who hid a dark secret—he was a serial killer who had eluded capture for several murders before and after his game show appearance.

“Woman of the Hour” delves into both the psychological tension of Bradshaw’s near-miss with a killer and the broader implications of gender dynamics in the 1970s. The film serves as a commentary on how women’s voices and warnings were often ignored during this era, a theme that resonates throughout the movie.

This chilling narrative premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2023, although Kendrick and the project’s stars were not able to attend due to the SAG-AFTRA strike. Critics on Rotten Tomatoes have given the film a 90% score, praising its inventive storytelling and critical take on the true-crime genre.

Alcala’s life and crimes have been chronicled extensively, including a biopic in 2017 and a documentary in 2022. His notorious stint on “The Dating Game” in 1978, which occurred amidst his criminal activity, is one of the focal points of his life story. Despite charming many, Alcala was eventually arrested in 1979 and convicted of multiple murders.

Sheryl Bradshaw has largely remained a private individual, and “Woman of the Hour” fictionalizes some aspects to portray her as a hopeful actress challenging the superficial image imposed on women during the time.