Anna Kendrick dates a serial killer in trailer for thriller Woman of the Hour

As if dating isn't hard enough, imagine knowing a serial killer is not only on the prowl but bold enough to go on television and participate in a dating show. That's the premise of the upcoming psychological thriller film Woman of the Hour, based on the true story of murderer Rodney Alcala who appeared as a contestant on The Dating Game in 1978 and later became known as "The Dating Game Killer."

Academy Award-nominated actress Anna Kendrick makes her directorial debut with the upcoming film, in which she also stars. Woman of the Hour premiered to rave reviews at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), with critics specifically praising Kendrick's direction and the movie's smart script. It currently holds an impressive 90% approval score on Rotten Tomatoes based on 51 reviews.

In real life, Alcala won a date with The Dating Game bachelorette Cheryl Bradshaw, but Cheryl reportedly didn't actually go on a date with him as she found him too "creepy," says People Magazine.

Apparently she wasn't the only one unnerved by Alcala as CNN reports fellow contestant Jed Mills, who had been sitting beside Alcala during the episode's taping, also felt the bachelor was odd.

"He became very unlikable and rude and imposing as though he was trying to intimidate. I wound up not only not liking this guy ... not wanting to be near him ... he got creepier and more negative. He was a standout creepy guy in my life."

While the movie is based on a true story, it looks like at least some dramatization will occur as the newly released trailer shows Bradshaw (played by Kendrick) on a date with Alcala, though we know the real Cheryl opted not to go. The serial killer is played by It Follows and Don't Breathe star Daniel Zovatto in the film.

Reports suggest that Alcala had at least eight confirmed victims, but might have killed many others. He was arrested multiple times and ultimately sentenced to death on three separate occasions due to various trial proceedings, overturned convictions, retrials, and extraditions. In 2021, Alcala died of natural causes at the age of 77 while still on death row.

Woman of the Hour will be released theatrically in Canada this October and via Netflix at a later date. Stay tuned to 1428 Elm for more information on the film!