Sometimes, I think the scariest types of movies are those steeped in facts and true stories.
For example, accounts of interactions with serial killers in either a documentary or strictly entertainment-focused type are on my list to watch.
It’s also why I debated on majoring in psychology in college once upon a time before choosing my ultimate track in mass media instead.
In keeping this general interest, I decided to check out “Woman of the Hour” on Netflix this week
Overall, I found the film enjoyable largely due to some beautiful background locations, period-appropriate costuming and staging, and the parallel storyline running between the female main character and serial killer.
Woman of the Hour is a 2023 American crime thriller film directed by Anna Kendrick in her directorial debut and written by Ian McDonald.
It is based on the true story of serial killer Rodney Alcala and his 1978 appearance on the television show The Dating Game during his murder spree.
The film stars Kendrick as the game show contestant Sheryl Bradshaw and Daniel Zovatto as Alcala, alongside Nicolette Robinson, Autumn Best, Kathryn Gallagher, Jessica Chaffin, Pete Holmes, and Tony Hale.
At the time of the show, Alcala had murdered at least five women, and his appearance in the episode later earned him the nickname, “The Dating Game Killer.”
The movie is rated R for language, violent content, some drug use, and a sexual reference and is 94 minutes long.
In 1977 Wyoming, serial killer Rodney Alcala (Zovatto) takes photos of a woman in the plains.
After he gets the woman to open up about her painful breakup with an ex-boyfriend, he strangles her.
He revives her, then strangles her to death.
In 1979 in the city of San Gabriel, Amy (Best) is a young runaway who lives on the streets and steals occasionally.
Rodney spots her sitting at a motel and claims that he can take photos of her and she can launch a career as a model.
She agrees to accompany him as he drives to an isolated location.
In a desert during sunset, Rodney proceeds to photograph Amy, then ambushes her.
In 1971 New York City, Charlie (Gallagher) is a flight attendant moving into a new apartment.
She sees Rodney taking photos across the street and asks him to help her move furniture into her home.
After helping her, Rodney assaults and kills Charlie.
In 1978 Los Angeles, Sheryl Bradshaw (Kendrick) is an aspiring actress going on auditions.
Her agent Helen (Chaffin) coaxes her to appear as a contestant on the TV show The Dating Game, telling her it might lead to her big break.
Sheryl thinks going on the show is beneath her, but her friend Terry (Holmes) reasons it is a good opportunity for the workaholic Sheryl to meet potential suitors.
She shows up at the studio to tape the episode and is prepped to go on camera.
The show goes live and the three bachelors, who are hidden from Sheryl’s view behind a partition, are displayed to the camera.
Bachelor #3 is revealed to be Rodney.
From there, things only get more awkward for Sheryl as viewers are shown more of Rodney’s hidden side.
This film is worth watching as not only a cautionary tale about strangers and safety, but also about how looks can be deceiving.
