5 Chilling Facts Proving 'Woman Of The Hour' Is 100% Based On A True Story: The Dating Game Killer

The question of whether *Woman of the Hour* is based on a true story is answered with a resounding and chilling 'yes.' This acclaimed film, which also marks Anna Kendrick’s directorial debut, is not just inspired by real events—it is a direct and terrifying dramatization of a specific moment in American true crime history that allowed a serial killer to appear on national television.

Released to critical acclaim and immediately captivating audiences in late 2024, the movie chronicles the real-life ordeal of bachelorette Cheryl Bradshaw, who unknowingly selected one of the era’s most prolific murderers, Rodney Alcala, as her prize date on the popular 1970s game show, *The Dating Game*. The movie serves as a stark reminder of the hidden dangers lurking beneath the surface of seemingly innocent pop culture moments, with the latest updates confirming the accuracy of the film's core narrative.

The True Story of Rodney Alcala: The Dating Game Killer's Biography

The central figure in the *Woman of the Hour* true story is Rodney James Alcala, a man whose charm and intelligence masked a horrific and extensive criminal career. Known by the chilling moniker "The Dating Game Killer," Alcala’s life was a disturbing duality of public facade and private terror.

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• Full Name: Rodney James Alcala (also used aliases like John Berger and John Burger).
• Nickname: The Dating Game Killer.
• Date of Birth: August 23, 1943.
• Date of Death: July 24, 2021 (died at the age of 77 while on death row).
• IQ and Personality: Alcala was reported to have a Mensa-level certified genius IQ, was described as handsome and articulate, and was not a social outcast.
• Criminal Span: His documented crimes spanned from at least 1968 to 1979, but his full activity is believed to have been much longer.
• Convictions: He was convicted of seven murders, including the kidnapping and murder of 12-year-old Robin Samsoe, but authorities believe his victim count could be as high as 130.
• Modus Operandi: Alcala often lured young women by offering to take their pictures, leveraging his interest in photography.

Alcala's appearance on *The Dating Game* in 1978 occurred when he was already an active serial killer and registered sex offender with a prior conviction for the attempted rape of an 8-year-old girl. His successful, yet brief, foray into television fame is the terrifying nexus that *Woman of the Hour* explores.

Fact 1: The Infamous 1978 Dating Game Episode is Real

The core premise of the film—a bachelorette choosing a serial killer on a dating show—is absolutely true. In 1978, Rodney Alcala appeared as "Bachelor Number One" on an episode of the popular television show *The Dating Game*.

The real bachelorette, Cheryl Bradshaw, was an aspiring actress in Los Angeles, much like the film's character Sheryl Bradshaw (played by Anna Kendrick). The episode, which aired with host Jim Lange, featured Alcala answering questions designed to showcase his personality. He won the date by charming Bradshaw with his witty, albeit slightly strange, answers.

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The film meticulously recreates the tense and awkward atmosphere of the show, highlighting the subtle red flags that were completely missed by the production staff and the studio audience at the time. The contrast between the light-hearted game show environment and the dark reality of Alcala’s identity is the engine of the film’s terror.

Fact 2: The Real Bachelorette, Cheryl Bradshaw, Dodged a Bullet

The most crucial and fortunate part of the true story is that Cheryl Bradshaw never went on the date she won with Rodney Alcala. The film accurately portrays the bachelorette's gut instinct—a feeling of unease that saved her life.

After the show was filmed, Bradshaw met Alcala backstage. She later told the show's contestant coordinator, Ellen Metzger, that she found Alcala "creepy" and "weird," citing a strange, dark aura about him. She immediately phoned the production office to cancel the date, which was a skiing trip to Mammoth Lakes. This decision, based purely on intuition, is widely credited with saving her from becoming one of the Dating Game Killer's victims.

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Fact 3: Rodney Alcala Was an Active Killer During the Filming

Alcala’s appearance on *The Dating Game* was not a turning point in his criminal life; it was merely a brief interlude. At the time the episode was filmed in 1978, Alcala was already a known serial predator.

His confirmed murder spree included the following victims, among others, with some of the crimes occurring before or around the time of the show:

• Jill Barcomb (18): Murdered in 1977.
• Georgia Wixted (27): Murdered in 1978.
• Charlotte Lamb (32): Murdered in 1978.
• Jill Parenteau (21): Murdered in 1979.
• Robin Samsoe (12): Kidnapped and murdered in 1979, the crime for which he was eventually convicted and sentenced to death.

The sheer audacity of a serial killer using a national television platform for validation and potential victim scouting is what makes the true story of *Woman of the Hour* so profoundly disturbing and relevant to discussions about hidden predators in society.

Fact 4: The True Fate of Cheryl Bradshaw and Rodney Alcala

The film’s end titles provide a brief but important update on the real people involved, a detail confirmed by director Anna Kendrick in recent interviews.

Rodney Alcala's Death: After decades of trials, retrials, and appeals, Rodney Alcala was sentenced to death in California for five murders, with later convictions in New York for two more. He died of natural causes at a California hospital in July 2021 while still on death row.

Cheryl Bradshaw's Private Life: Following her near-encounter with the killer, the real Cheryl Bradshaw chose to leave California and live a private life, raising a family away from the spotlight. Anna Kendrick revealed that Bradshaw passed away before production began, meaning the director was unable to speak to the woman she portrayed. This detail underscores the film's commitment to honoring her story while acknowledging the privacy she sought.

Fact 5: The Movie Captures Alcala's Disturbing Photography Obsession

One of the most unsettling elements of the true story, which the film incorporates, is Rodney Alcala’s obsession with photography. Authorities discovered a storage locker belonging to Alcala that contained over 1,000 photographs of young women, many of them nude or in sexually suggestive poses.

Investigators believe these women were potential victims, and the images became a crucial part of the ongoing investigation, helping to link Alcala to cold cases across multiple states, including New York and Washington. The film hints at this dark hobby, illustrating how Alcala used a seemingly innocent artistic interest—taking pictures—as a tool for manipulation and predation. This detail highlights the topical authority of the film in exploring the methods of serial offenders.