In the Woman of the Hour ending, Sheryl Bradshaw escapes serial killer Rodney Alcala after rejecting his advances post-The Dating Game. Alcala, frustrated by Sheryl’s refusal to date him, threatens her life. She manages to flee when bystanders arrive, ultimately deciding to leave Hollywood for her own safety.

The Woman of the Hour movie’s ending shocks viewers as it explores the true story of Rodney Alcala, also known as The Dating Show Killer.

Anna Kendrick’s film shows the disturbing events of Rodney Alcala’s appearance on a 1978 reality show and the terrible crimes he committed.

The movie highlights Alcala’s ability to manipulate women through his charm and photography skills, which he used to lure vulnerable victims.

Rodney Alcala had a terrifying way of attracting his victims. His method? Charm, flattery, and his apparent passion for photography.

He would approach women—usually young, lonely, or emotionally fragile—offering to take their portraits, which made them feel special.

In Woman of the Hour, Rodney’s sinister tactics are laid bare as he carefully chooses his victims, comforting them, gaining their trust, and then attacking them when they least expected it.

Alcala’s interest in photography was a core element of his crimes. He wasn’t just taking innocent snapshots—these images were his keepsakes, trophies that he would flip through, likely reliving the horror he inflicted on his victims.

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He had a terrifying habit of choking his victims, reviving them, and repeating the process before finally killing them.

This form of psychological and physical torment shows Alcala’s deep-rooted lack of empathy. For him, the photos were a way of possessing his victims even after their death.

His meticulous and cold-hearted behavior allowed him to believe he was invincible, creating a false narrative in his mind where his crimes were part of his “artwork” as a photographer.

What stands out in the movie is how Rodney studied his victims, identifying their emotional vulnerabilities and exploiting them to perfection.

The film opens with one of his victims pouring her heart out, only for Rodney to strangle her minutes later. This calculated method was typical of Alcala.

He viewed himself as an intellectual, someone too clever to ever get caught, and his crimes reflected his twisted view of himself as someone superior to those around him.

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Why Did Sheryl Refuse to Date Rodney?

Sheryl Bradshaw’s appearance on The Dating Game seemed like a simple opportunity to boost her acting career, but it soon became a life-or-death encounter with a serial killer.

In the movie, Sheryl is portrayed as an aspiring actress who struggled to make a name for herself in a Hollywood industry riddled with sexism.

She participated in The Dating Game not because she was searching for love, but to gain exposure in the hopes of advancing her career. Rodney Alcala, however, was one of the bachelors competing for her attention.

On the show, Rodney’s charm and smooth answers earned him Sheryl’s favor, leading her to choose him as her potential date. Despite this, Sheryl sensed something off about him once they met in person after the show.

Rodney’s demeanor made her uncomfortable, and she quickly realized she wasn’t interested in pursuing any kind of relationship with him.

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When she explained that her appearance on the show was for visibility and not for dating, Rodney became visibly upset. He thought it was unfair that someone uninterested in dating would even be on a dating show.

Despite her rejection, Rodney persisted, offering to walk Sheryl to her car and even asking for her number. Sensing danger, Sheryl gave him a fake phone number, but when he cross-checked it, she panicked. Rodney’s demeanor shifted, and he threatened to kill her.

Terrified, Sheryl hurried to her car, and just as Rodney was about to harm her, a group of men appeared in the parking lot, allowing Sheryl to escape.

This close encounter left Sheryl deeply shaken, and she soon decided to leave Hollywood, understanding that her safety and dignity were far more valuable than the fame she sought.

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How Did Rodney Alcala Finally Get Arrested?

In Woman of the Hour, Rodney Alcala’s downfall begins with Amy, a homeless teenage girl who crossed paths with him on Valentine’s Day in 1978. Amy, portrayed in the movie as a vulnerable and lonely teen, becomes Alcala’s next target.

Rodney approached her, offering compliments and suggesting he take her photograph. Having experienced neglect and loneliness, Amy found comfort in Rodney’s words, thinking she had finally met someone who saw her beauty. But the reality was far more sinister.

On their way to a secluded spot for photos, Amy browsed through Rodney’s collection of portraits, not realizing the horrifying backstory behind them. Once they reached their destination, Rodney attacked Amy from behind.

She woke up to find her hands and feet tied, with no way of escaping. Rather than give in to panic, Amy used her intelligence to win Rodney’s trust, speaking kindly to him and joking about their encounter.

Rodney, who had been emotionally erratic, seemed comforted by Amy’s words. He believed she had accepted him and no longer saw her as a threat.

Rodney untied Amy, thinking she would stay with him willingly. However, when they stopped at a gas station, Amy seized the opportunity to escape, running to a nearby eatery for help.

Rodney, realizing what had happened, was shocked when he heard police sirens in the distance. He had always believed his cleverness and charm would allow him to evade capture, but this time, he was wrong.

The police arrested him shortly afterward, marking the end of his deadly spree.

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The True Story Behind Woman of the Hour

Rodney Alcala’s appearance on The Dating Game is infamous, earning him the nickname The Dating Show Killer. While the film adds some fictional elements, it is based on Alcala’s real-life crimes.

In 1978, he indeed appeared as a contestant on The Dating Game and was chosen by Sheryl Bradshaw, though she ultimately refused to go on a date with him after sensing something was wrong.

Rodney Alcala was a serial killer responsible for at least five murders between 1977 and 1979, though experts believe he may have killed as many as 130 people. He often used his charm and photography skills to lure his victims, just as portrayed in the movie.

In real life, one of his most notable victims was Tali Shapiro, an 8-year-old girl whom Alcala lured to his apartment. While Tali survived, her testimony was critical in one of Alcala’s trials.

The movie also sheds light on the negligence of authorities during Alcala’s killing spree. Despite multiple complaints from women, including some who recognized him as a danger, the police failed to take action.

This failure allowed Alcala to continue his rampage for years. The character of Laura, a woman who lost her friend to Rodney’s violence, represents the countless people who tried to warn the authorities but were ignored.

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Rodney Alcala’s Death

In 2021, Rodney Alcala died in prison at the age of 77. He had been on death row for years but was never executed.

Alcala’s crimes left a lasting impact, and his case continues to be a haunting reminder of how dangerous people can slip through the cracks of the justice system.

His crimes were made possible by his ability to manipulate those around him, both his victims and law enforcement, using his charm and intelligence as a mask for his inner darkness.