Rodney Alcala in custody / image credit-TU SAIS PAS QUOI ?!
Netflix’s latest true-crime film, Woman of the Hour, directed by Anna Kendrick, unearths the disturbing crimes of Rodney Alcala, a serial killer who horrifyingly managed to appear on a popular TV dating show in the midst of his killing spree. Known as the “Dating Game Killer,” Alcala’s story is one that blends charisma with terror, leaving viewers to grapple with the dark reality of a man who took the lives of multiple women while charming television audiences.
Rodney Alcala: The Serial Killer Behind the Smile
Rodney Alcala was a notorious serial killer and sex offender, whose killing spree spanned the 1970s across several states in the U.S., including New York, California, and Wyoming. Although he was convicted of eight murders, investigators believe he may have been responsible for over 100 killings, targeting women and young girls by posing as a professional photographer.
Often luring his victims by offering to take their photographs, Alcala would eventually turn violent, sexually assaulting and murdering them. His deceptive charm and good looks allowed him to hide in plain sight for years, fooling many into believing he was simply an aspiring artist. The true extent of his crimes remained hidden for decades, but Woman of the Hour sheds light on the depths of his depravity.
The Disturbing TV Appearance: How Alcala Won The Dating Game
One of the most chilling aspects of Alcala’s story was his appearance on The Dating Game, a popular TV show in 1978, during which he was already an active killer. In a format similar to the UK’s Blind Date, Alcala was one of three eligible bachelors vying for a date with a woman who asked them questions. His charm, good looks, and seemingly confident demeanor won him the competition. Cheryl Bradshaw, the woman who selected him, ultimately declined to go on the date after feeling uncomfortable during a backstage conversation. This decision may have saved her life.
Producers of the show had no idea that Alcala was in the middle of his killing spree, and at the time, background checks were not routinely performed on contestants. This appearance would later earn him the nickname “The Dating Game Killer,” a haunting reminder of how predators can exist within seemingly normal social settings.
The Legal Battle and Final Sentencing
Alcala’s legal journey was long and complex. In 1980, he was sentenced to death in California for the murder of 12-year-old Robin Samsoe. However, his death sentence was overturned twice due to legal technicalities, leading to retrials in 1986 and again in 2003. Meanwhile, new forensic evidence emerged, linking him to additional murders in California.
During his 2010 retrial, Alcala was convicted of five murders, including the killing of Samsoe and four other women between the ages of 18 and 32. Alcala’s manipulative tendencies extended beyond the courtroom, as he even attempted to publish a book titled You, the Jury, in which he declared his innocence.
In 2012, Alcala was extradited to New York to face charges for two murders dating back to the 1970s. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 25 years to life. In 2016, he was charged with the 1977 murder of Christine Ruth Thornton, whose identity was confirmed through photographs that Alcala had taken during one of his so-called “photoshoots.”
Alcala died of natural causes in 2021 while incarcerated at the Corcoran State Prison in California. He was 77 years old.
Anna Kendrick’s Woman of the Hour: A Chilling Look into Alcala’s World
Anna Kendrick’s directorial debut, Woman of the Hour, delves into Alcala’s manipulative and violent persona. Opening in 1977, the film introduces viewers to Alcala’s encounters with women whom he would photograph before attacking. Kendrick’s portrayal of the day Alcala appeared on The Dating Game serves as a key moment in the film, illustrating the terrifying contrast between his public charm and private cruelty.
The movie avoids glorifying Alcala’s violence, opting instead to show the moments leading up to his attacks. Kendrick, who also stars as Cheryl Bradshaw, adds a feminist perspective to the narrative by showing how Bradshaw defied the show’s expectations, raising suspicions about Alcala that likely saved her life. The film does take some artistic liberties, imagining what would have happened if Bradshaw had actually gone on the date with Alcala, creating a tense and unsettling encounter in a bar and car park.
The True Victims: Monique Hoyt and Others
Woman of the Hour also focuses on the story of Monique Hoyt, one of Alcala’s victims who managed to escape after being assaulted. Hoyt was only 15 years old when Alcala knocked her unconscious in 1979 while taking photographs in a remote area. She convinced him that she wanted to pursue a relationship with him as a way to escape. Hoyt’s story, though harrowing, represents a glimmer of survival amidst the many women who tragically did not survive their encounters with Alcala.
The film captures the terror Alcala instilled in his victims without resorting to graphic depictions of violence, focusing instead on the emotional and psychological impact.
FAQs About Rodney Alcala
Q: How many victims did Rodney Alcala have?
A: Rodney Alcala was convicted of eight murders, but authorities believe he may have killed over 100 women and girls.
Q: What was The Dating Game, and how did Alcala appear on it?
A: The Dating Game was a TV show in which a woman would choose a date from three male contestants. Alcala appeared on the show in 1978 while he was actively killing women. Despite being chosen by Cheryl Bradshaw, she declined to go on the date after finding him “creepy.”
Q: What happened to Rodney Alcala?
A: Alcala was sentenced to death multiple times for his crimes, but his sentences were overturned due to legal issues. He died of natural causes in 2021 while in prison.
Q: How did Alcala lure his victims?
A: Alcala posed as a photographer, offering to take women’s photos as a way to manipulate them before attacking and killing them.
Q: Is the movie Woman of the Hour based on true events?
A: Yes, the film is based on the true story of Rodney Alcala, focusing on his appearance on The Dating Game and his interactions with his victims. Some artistic liberties were taken for dramatic effect.