Woman of the Hour Explores Chilling True Crime

Anna Kendrick's directorial debut, 'Woman of the Hour,' streaming on Netflix, revisits the chilling true story of Rodney Alcala, a serial killer who appeared on 'The Dating Game' in 1978. The film takes a unique approach by focusing on the victims' perspectives, aiming to honor and remember their lives, although some aspects of the story have been fictionalized for dramatic effect. Survivor Morgan Rowan criticized the film for historical inaccuracies, particularly in its portrayal of Cheryl Bradshaw's interactions with Alcala. Despite these criticisms, the film has received acclaim for its thematic depth and exploration of societal flaws that allowed Alcala's crimes to go unchecked. Screenwriter Ian McDonald emphasized the need to convey a socially relevant narrative, while Kendrick noted Alcala's unsettling charm as a key element of the story.