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All the things Netflix film Woman of the Hour actually got wrong about disturbing game show murder case

Home> Entertainment> Netflix

Updated 13:40 21 Oct 2024 GMT+1Published 13:30 21 Oct 2024 GMT+1

All the things Netflix film Woman of the Hour actually got wrong about disturbing game show murder case

The true crime-drama series tells the tale of serial killer Rodney Alcala who appeared on a 1970s dating show amid his crime spree

Rhianna Benson

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...

Alcala WAS on the FBI's 'Most Wanted' list

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.

Rodney Alcala got his nickname because he had once appeared on The Dating Game (ABC)
Rodney Alcala got his nickname because he had once appeared on The Dating Game (ABC)

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.

A dating show viewer did NOT recognise Alcala

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.

Anna Kendrick stars in the Netflix series (Netflix)
Anna Kendrick stars in the Netflix series (Netflix)

Bradshaw knew Alcala was 'creepy' from the beginning

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.

How Alcala was arrested

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.

Alcala was arrested in 1979 (Huntington Beach Police)
Alcala was arrested in 1979 (Huntington Beach Police)

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.

Hundreds of images of POTENTIAL victims

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.

Featured Image Credit: Netflix

Topics: Netflix, TV And Film, True Crime, Crime

Rhianna Benson
Rhianna Benson

Rhianna is an Entertainment Journalist at LADbible Group, working across LADbible, UNILAD and Tyla. She has a Masters in News Journalism from the University of Salford and a Masters in Ancient History from the University of Edinburgh. She previously worked as a Celebrity Reporter for OK! and New Magazines, and as a TV Writer for Reach PLC.

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@rhiannaBjourno

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