Women of the Hour: The True Story Behind the Netflix Movie

Women of the Hour: A Deep Dive Into the Dark Story

Women of the Hour, Anna Kendrick’s directorial debut, has arrived on Netflix, renewing interest in the infamous Dating Game Killer. This chilling thriller centers around Sheryl Bradshaw, who unknowingly encounters a sociopathic killer during a dating show.

Who is the Dating Game Killer?

Rodney Alcala, a typesetter at the LA Times, was a notorious serial killer who operated in New York, California, and Wyoming. His gruesome spree coincided with his involvement in The Dating Game in 1978, despite a troubled past of offenses against minors.

Alcala's Victims

• Primarily young women lured with false pretense of photography.
• Possibly as many as 131 victims linked through forensic advancements.

Arrest and Sentence

Alcala's arrest came only after a would-be victim escaped. Shockingly, even after bail from his mother, he continued his horrific acts. He received a death sentence in 1980, which faced numerous legal challenges but was never overturned. Alcala died from natural causes in 2021.

Sheryl Bradshaw's Real Story

In a twist, the movie alters her name slightly and depicts her encounter with Alcala as more glamorous than it was. In reality, her instincts led her to avoid him quickly after their backstage meeting.

Amy's Inspiration

While the character Amy, portrayed by Autumn Best, is based on a true survivor, the specifics have been dramatically altered. The actual survivor testified in 2010, detailing the lifelong trauma inflicted by Alcala.