Rodney Alcala was apprehended in 1979 for the murders of several women. Eventually, he was convicted of seven killings, although some believe he may be responsible for over 100. Years prior, Alcala gained notoriety by appearing on the cult reality dating show The Dating Game, where contestant Sheryl Bradshaw selected him for a date.
However, the outing never happened, as Bradshaw described Alcala as “too creepy.” In Anna Kendrick’s upcoming film Woman Of The Hour, she explores what might have occurred had that date taken place.
Kendrick not only plays Bradshaw but also marks her directorial debut with this film, set to premiere on Netflix on October 18. She portrays a fictionalized version of the real woman who chose Alcala for the show.
Anna Kendrick’s directorial debut, Woman Of The Hour, explores what might have happened if Bradshaw had gone on a date with the serial killer Alcala
Daniel Zovatto, known for his roles in Station Eleven and The Pope’s Exorcist, takes on the role of the serial killer Rodney Alcala. Tony Hale, recognized from Veep and The Decameron, portrays the show’s host, Ed. The supporting cast features Jedidiah Goodacre, Kelley Jakle, Matt Visser, Nicolette Robinson, and Autumn Best.
Interestingly, Kendrick was attached to the project as both an actor and producer for two years before deciding to direct. “In our case, we had a start date and no director,” she shared with Entertainment Weekly. “We spent maybe 48 hours trying to find somebody to jump on board quickly. And we were certainly not looking at first-time directors.”
It was then that she realized she could direct the film herself. “I think there was something about the movie that I found compelling,” she explained. “While I liked the character, I was far more interested in the movie as a whole. And throughout those two years, I kept thinking, ‘Well, if it were my movie, this is how I’d do it.’”
For Kendrick, a key theme in the film revolves around the societal issue of victim blaming. “I was reflecting on how even subtle victim blaming is ingrained in our culture,” she noted. “Even well-meaning people might say things like, ‘Yeah, you really just got to pay attention to those early red flags,’ which isn’t the worst thing to say, but still, it’s concerning.”
