ANNA Kendrick makes her directorial debut in Woman of the Hour by diving into the unsettling true story of Rodney Alcala, the so-called “Dating Game Killer.” While the premise sounds like a typical true crime retelling, Kendrick’s film takes a refreshingly different approach.
Rather than focusing on the gory details of Alcala’s crimes, the movie explores the darker, more nuanced dangers women face, especially in seemingly benign circumstances. Daniel Zovatto’s eerie portrayal of Alcala elevates the film, adding psychological tension that makes him even creepier than the real-life killer.
Danger behind charming facade
Set in 1978, Woman of the Hour centres around the surreal events that occurred when serial killer Alcala appeared as a contestant on the popular TV show The Dating Game. Kendrick plays Cheryl Bradshaw, the unsuspecting bachelorette who chooses Alcala, bachelor number three, without knowing that she narrowly escaped becoming his next victim.
The film uses this bizarre real-life event as its jumping-off point. Still, the story quickly deepens, cutting between Alcala’s murder spree and Cheryl’s uneasy realisation that something about her chosen bachelor is off.
Kendrick’s decision to centre the film around the TV show’s appearance is clever because it instantly sets up the situation’s inherent absurdity. At this point, Alcala, already responsible for several murders, somehow charms his way onto a lighthearted dating show.
The show’s playful, low-stakes atmosphere sharply contrasts with the horror lurking just beneath the surface, making it all the more chilling when Alcala wins the date.
