Featured Image Credit: Netflix
Topics: Netflix, TV And Film, True Crime, Crime
Rhianna Benson
Despite only having landed on the streaming service a matter of days ago, Netflix's latest true crime drama Woman of the Hour has sky-rocketed to the Top 10.
It isn't just the eerie cinematography, star-studded cast, or spine-tingling script that has kept viewers hooked, however - it's the fact the that this feature-length film is based on the life and crimes of real serial murderer, Rodney Alcala.
Produced and lead by Pitch Perfect favourite Anna Kendrick, the movie tells the tale of Alcala's life and crimes.
Between the 1960s and 70s, Rodney Alcala is understood to have attacked, raped, and murdered around 130 women across the States.
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In the midst of his killing spree, however, Alcala bizarrely appeared on a blind date series in the hope of finding love, where he met actress Cheryl Bradshaw, later earning him the nickname, the 'Dating Game Killer'.
And though several viewers have been delighted by the show's accurate portrayal of numerous aspects of the story, there are other segments of the series which have fans doubting their accuracy...
The star-studded movie ends by recreating two of Alcala's most heinous crimes, after which he is shown to be dramatically apprehended by police.
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In real life, however, he wasn't arrested in such a cataclysmic showdown with cops.
Though the show then says via on-screen text that he was released on bail following his initial arrest, it omits the fact his mother posted his bail.
And the series evades the fact that Alcala was previously listed on the FBI's 'Most Wanted' list all the way back in 1971 - seven years before the movie kicks off.
One of the most chilling scenes shows one audience member endure a dramatic reaction to recognising Alcala on stage, later showing her to be a friend of Georgia Marie Wixted, one of his first victims.
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There's no evidence, however, of an audience member having even recognised him during the television show, with the scene argued to be a means of demonstrating just how long Alcala was able to evade police detection.
And strangely, however, the real case does not record a friend having discovered the victim's body in her Miami flat in the first place.
Cheryl Bradshaw (known as 'Sheryl' on the show and played by Anna Kendrick) is seen sharing a drink with Alcala following the conclusion of the show.
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And while these scenes are shown to be the moments that Bradshaw becomes increasingly concerned about the man she was set up with, in reality, the real-life actress claims she had bad feelings about 'creepy' Alcala much earlier.
The real show's three episodes were filmed back-to-back, meaning she very likely did endure several run-ins with him prior to the show.
Cheryl later told a show's producer she felt uncomfortable going on the date.
As we say, the movie ends with a nail-biting showdown depicting Alcala's arrest.
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The film fails to explain, however, that just weeks after this supposed apprehension, he was back on the streets.
He'd murdered at least three more women - including 12-year-old Robin Samsoe - after his appearance on the dating series.
With the help of a sketch, created from recollections of the victim's friend, Alcala's parole officer recognised him, and he was arrested without bail.
It was only after this that he'd receive three death sentences.
The series frequently discusses the potential for more victims being out there, and seems to forget that investigating authorities actually have hundreds of photos which were obtained from Alcala's storage locker, which contain images of other victims.