5 Chilling Facts: Is 'Woman Of The Hour' Based On A True Story? The Terrifying Truth Of The Dating Game Killer
Yes, the chilling premise of the 2024 Netflix film, Woman of the Hour, is absolutely based on a terrifying true story. The film, which marks Anna Kendrick’s directorial debut, chronicles the unbelievable real-life event where a contestant on the popular 1970s game show, The Dating Game, unknowingly chose a date with one of the most prolific and dangerous serial killers in American history. The true story centers on contestant Cheryl Bradshaw and the man she selected: Rodney Alcala, a convicted rapist and murderer already active at the time of the broadcast in 1978. As of today, December 22, 2025, the film continues to generate significant discussion for its accurate portrayal of this bizarre and unsettling moment in television history, highlighting the narrow escape of Bradshaw and the unsettling charm of a predator.
The movie masterfully captures the stark contrast between the lighthearted, often sexually suggestive atmosphere of the game show and the dark, deadly reality lurking behind one of the contestants. While the film takes some dramatic liberties, the core event—a serial killer appearing on national television and being chosen by an unsuspecting woman—is a documented fact. This article delves into the biographical profile of the killer, the true sequence of events on the show, and how the movie balances fact with fiction.
The Complete Profile of Rodney Alcala: The Dating Game Killer
The antagonist of the true story, Rodney Alcala, was a figure of unsettling contradictions: a man with a high IQ, a degree from UCLA, and a stint at NYU film school, who used his charm and photography skills to lure and murder his victims. His appearance on The Dating Game in 1978 earned him the infamous moniker, “The Dating Game Killer.”
Rodney Alcala Biography & Criminal Timeline
- Full Name: Rodrigo Jacques Alcala Buquor (later legally changed to Rodney James Alcala).
- Born: August 23, 1943, in San Antonio, Texas.
- Died: July 24, 2021, at age 77, of natural causes while on California's death row at Corcoran State Prison.
- Education: Attended the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and New York University (NYU) film school.
- Modus Operandi: Often posed as a professional photographer to lure young women and girls, sometimes offering to take their portraits. His victims were typically strangled or beaten.
- Confirmed Convictions: In 2010, an Orange County jury convicted Alcala of five counts of first-degree murder for the 1970s killings of Jill Barcomb, Georgia Wixted, Charlotte Lamb, Jill Parenteau, and 12-year-old Robin Samsoe.
- Suspected Victims: Authorities believe Alcala’s true victim count could be over 130, spanning multiple states, including California, New York, Washington, and as far as New Hampshire. His collection of over 1,000 photographs of women and girls, discovered by police, remains a key piece of evidence in cold cases.
The Chilling Reality of The Dating Game Episode in 1978
The central event of Woman of the Hour is the episode of The Dating Game that aired on September 13, 1978. This moment is so unsettling because it perfectly illustrates Alcala's ability to hide his predatory nature in plain sight, using the guise of lighthearted television to find his next victim.
The Unsettling Encounter Between Cheryl Bradshaw and Alcala
The bachelorette for the episode was Cheryl Bradshaw, an aspiring actress. She was tasked with choosing one of three bachelors—Alcala was Bachelor Number One—based solely on their voices and answers to her questions. The show's host, Jim Lange, maintained the cheerful, double-entendre tone typical of the era, but Alcala’s responses were uniquely disturbing.
Bradshaw asked Alcala, "What is your best time of the day?" Alcala's chilling response, which hinted at his true nature, was: "Evening is my best time. That’s when I really come alive. I’m kind of a night person. I like to do things at night." His tone and mannerisms, described in later accounts as "creepy" and "off-putting," caused immediate discomfort among the crew and Bradshaw herself.
Despite the unnerving exchange, Bradshaw ultimately chose Alcala as her date. Her decision was based on his voice and his playful, though dark, banter. However, what happened next saved her life and forms the dramatic climax of the film's true-story foundation.
Fact vs. Fiction: What Happened to the Real Cheryl Bradshaw?
While Woman of the Hour is praised for its accuracy in depicting the atmosphere of the 1970s and the tension of the game show, it is a dramatization. Understanding the difference between the cinematic version and the real-life events is crucial for appreciating the gravity of the true story.
The Real-Life Escape and Aftermath
The most important fact the film gets right is the escape. Cheryl Bradshaw refused to go on the date with Alcala. After the cameras stopped rolling, Bradshaw told a show producer that she found Alcala "creepy" and "weird," stating that she felt a genuinely bad vibe from him that transcended the playful nature of the show. Her intuition, a central theme in the film, saved her life.
Unlike the fictionalized character Sheryl (played by Anna Kendrick), who is shown as an aspiring actress from New York, the real Cheryl Bradshaw has maintained an extremely low profile since the 1978 incident. Her current whereabouts are unknown, which is understandable given the trauma and notoriety associated with her close call with one of history's most notorious serial killers.
Fictionalized Elements in Anna Kendrick’s Film
The film primarily fictionalizes the personal life and backstory of the main character to build a more compelling narrative arc. The protagonist's name is changed from Cheryl to Sheryl Bradshaw (with an 'S'). The movie also introduces or exaggerates fictional subplots surrounding the show's production, the other bachelors, and the details of Sheryl's professional aspirations in Los Angeles.
- The Name Change: The protagonist in the film is named Sheryl, while the real contestant was Cheryl.
- The Character Arc: The film gives Sheryl a detailed background as a serious actress struggling in Hollywood, which is an embellishment of the real Bradshaw’s life.
- The Production Drama: The behind-the-scenes drama and conversations with the show's producers and staff are largely fictionalized to enhance the tension and highlight the institutional sexism and dismissiveness of the era.
The Legacy of The Dating Game Killer and the Film's Impact
Rodney Alcala’s appearance on *The Dating Game* is a macabre footnote in true crime history, perfectly illustrating the banality of evil. The episode aired while Alcala was actively killing, demonstrating a brazen confidence and a chilling disregard for human life. The fact that he was able to charm the audience and be selected as a desirable bachelor speaks volumes about the deceptive nature of serial predators.
The film, Woman of the Hour, serves as a powerful reminder of how close Alcala came to claiming another victim and how the simple act of trusting one’s intuition—as Cheryl Bradshaw did—can be a matter of life and death. The movie’s success on Netflix has brought renewed attention to Alcala’s extensive criminal career and the countless victims whose lives he destroyed across California and New York. His death in 2021 closed the final chapter on his legal battles but not the terrifying legacy of "The Dating Game Killer."
Ultimately, while Woman of the Hour is a dramatic retelling, its foundation is rock solid: a true story about a narrow escape from a monster who used the bright lights of Hollywood to mask his dark intentions. The film acts as a chilling, necessary spotlight on the hidden dangers that can lurk beneath a charming surface.
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