Real life 'bachelor number 2' from disturbing Netflix film still 'haunted' by serial killer's words all these years later

Warning: This article contains discussion of rape which some readers may find distressing.

The real-life story of the 'Dating Game Killer', Rodney Alcala, has been fascinating viewers of Anna Kendrick's directorial debut, Woman of the Hour.

The Netflix flick tells the true crime story of a serial killer who entered a dating show with aspiring actress Sheryl Bradshaw.

Alcala's killing spree was rife in the 1970s, before he was eventually arrested and died in prison in 2021 aged 77.

However, what might shock people the most is that he had appeared on a very popular US dating show in 78, when he was still an active murderer.

Alcala became a contestant on The Dating Game, and was one of three bachelors lined up as a potential option for singleton Bradshaw.

Bradshaw asked the trio a series of questions to determine who sounded like the best choice for her to go on a date with.

Rodney Alcala appeared on the hit dating show (YouTube/Inside Edition)

However, there was a screen between seated Bradshaw and the men, so that only the studio audience and viewers at home were able to see what they looked like.

Right at the front of the line-up sat Alcala.

After asking her questions, the men would answer, and Bradshaw eventually choose to date Alcala, but later denied going out with him as she had endured a 'creepy' conversation with him backstage.

Jett Mills also appeared on the dating show as Bachelor number 2, and has very clear memories of meeting Alcala on stage.

He spoke to Inside Edition about that time and described him as a 'real creepy guy, a real idiot'.

However, there was one moment that stuck out in his mind, and what the killer said to him may have been a confession.

Mills explained to the interviewer: "This creep comes up and he puts his face practically in my face, and says, 'I always get the girl'."

He shared that he believes there was a secret meaning to what the fake photographer had said to him, noting: "When I think about what he said, 'I always get my girl'- he kills them.

"That's what he's talking about."

Jim Mills recalled his interaction with the killer (YouTube/Inside Edition)

Prior to appearing on the show, Alcala had already raped and assaulted multiple people, and also had committed multiple murders.

In 1971, he was arrested and convicted on child molestation, and went on to serve nearly three years in prison, and later raped 8-year-old Tali Shapiro.

Then, in 1979, he was arrested and sentenced to death for the murder of a 12-year-old girl.

His sentence was later overturned and reinstated twice, in 1986 and 2001, as per the BBC.

While there are eight confirmed murders that can be pinned on Alcala, it is estimated by authorities that the number of his victims could be over 100, or even 130.

Because of his crimes before being allowed to go on the show, viewers of the film were left disturbed by the fact that he was allowed to roam the streets, even though he had numerous allegations made against him by survivors.