Warning: Spoilers ahead for Woman of the Hour!
This article also contains discussions on serial killer Rodney Alcala, who was convicted of murder and rape.
Woman of the Houris based on a bizarre true story about serial killer Rodney Alcala and his time as a contestant onThe Dating Game, which also involved a run-in with “bachelorette” Cheryl Bradshaw. Alcala’s name might not have mainstream notoriety like Ted Bundy, Ed Gein, or Jeffrey Dahmer, but his criminal history is nothing short of horrendous. Therefore, it’s surprising that Anna Kendrick used Alcala as the basis for her directorial debut even thoughWoman of the Hourmade some changes to the true story.
Several ofWoman of the Hour’s charactersare inspired by real-life figures, including Alcala, Sheryl, and several of Alcala’s confirmed victims. The movie puts different periods of Alcala’s crime spree in the spotlight, interweaving it with the main story anchored by Cheryl’s movie counterpart and her journey onThe Dating Game.Woman of the Hour’s endinggives insight into the fate of Alcala and those he came in contact with during the movie, but it doesn’t tell the serial killer’s entire story.
Anna Kendrick Plays A Version Of Cheryl Bradshaw In Woman Of The Hour
Kendrick’s Woman Of The Hour Character Is A Fictionalized Cheryl Bradshaw
Not only didAnna Kendrick directWoman of the Hour, but she also plays the role of aspiring actress Cheryl Bradshaw. In the movie, the woman’s name is changed to “Sheryl,” butthe character is still based on the real Bradshaw and her appearance onThe Dating Gamealongside Rodney Alcala. After a series of forgettable acting auditions in 1978, Kendrick’s Sheryl reluctantly agrees to go onThe Dating Game, taking inspiration from others like Sally Field, who went on the game show before making it big in Hollywood.
…even though parts ofWoman of the Hour’s Sheryl are fictionalized, many of the horrors depicted in the movie actually happened.
After arriving on set, it’s clear that the show wants Sheryl to embrace her looks over her brains, but the character flips the script on the three male contestants by asking them increasingly more difficult questions. Rodney, however, nails his questions and becomes the clear winner before obtaining a date with Sheryl. Little did Sheryl know, Rodney had already begun his murder spree. Even though parts ofWoman of the Hour’s Sheryl are fictionalized, many of the horrors depicted in the movie actually happened.
Did Cheryl Bradshaw Go On A Date With Rodney After Winning The Dating Game?
The Real Cheryl Was Uncomfortable After Meeting Rodney Alcala
Following the taping ofThe Dating Gameepisode,Woman of the Hourfeatures Sheryl agreeing to go on a date with Rodney. Sheryl instantly picks up on some red flags while having drinks, leading her to cut the date short. She nearly becomes his next victim in the nearby parking lot, but the crew members from the production set appear right as Rodney is about to strike.In real life, Cheryl Bradshaw never went on a date with Rodneydespite being the winning candidate for that episode ofThe Dating Game.
Rodney Alcala was cast inThe Dating Gamedespite already having a criminal record and time spent in prison before appearing in the 1978 episode of the game show.
According to Netflix’s press notes forWoman of the Hour,“the real Rodney Alcala and Cheryl Bradshaw had a conversation after the show that made her decide to forgo the prize date that she won.” During a20/20 Special (viaABC News), it was revealed that Bradshaw called the show’s executives the next day to inform them that she didn’t want to go on a date, claiming that Rodney was “very strange” and uncomfortable around him. Whatever made her say no to the date,Cheryl’s instincts may have saved her life, considering Alcala killed and raped several others afterThe Dating Gameappearance.
What Happened To Cheryl Bradshaw After Appearing On The Dating Game
Cheryl Bradshaw Lived A Private Life
AfterWoman of the Hour’s Sheryl nearly escapes Rodney’s grasp, he moves on in pursuit of new potential victims, while Kendrick’s character ends her acting career and moves out of the area. As for the real figure, the end of the movie states that “Cheryl Bradshaw left California to live a private life and raise a family.” Besides that,not much is known about Bradshaw’s current whereabouts, which is why Kendrick’s movie fictionalized portions of Sheryl’s movie arc and encounter with Rodney.
Some believe Rodney Alcala may have acquired nearly 130 victims during his crime spree. Sadly, it took decades for the severity and duration of his crime spree to be uncovered. Though the Sheryl character pulledWoman of the Hour’s story together, Kendrick told Neflix she wanted to “find that balance between telling an emotionally satisfying narrative without glazing over the repeated miscarriages of justice that took place.” The real Rodney Alcala ended up dying in prison, but justice will never be fully served for the amount of horrifying crimes he committed.
