When someone agrees to be on a dating show, the expectation is of meeting new people in an environment that is very public, but also extremely safe. Contestants have surely been vetted thoroughly to ensure this is true. And yet we always hear about the occasional creep who slips through the cracks. Back in 1978, a very dangerous man was a contestant on The Dating Game, and worse, he won a date with the woman. That’s the story Anna Kendrick is telling in her directorial debut, Woman of the Hour.
As seen in the new trailer, Woman of the Hour centers on real-life serial killer Rodney Alcala, who was convicted of seven murders with a potential body count as high as 130. In 1978 he was a contestant on The Dating Game and won a date with Cheryl Bradshaw, who was won over by the “successful photographer” who loved to skydive and ride motorcycles.
Kendrick not only directs the film, but she stars as Bradshaw. Playing Alcala is The Pope’s Exorcist actor Daniel Zovatto. Also in the cast are Tony Hale, Nicolette Robinson, and Kathryn Gallagher.
Debuting last year at TIFF, the film has received very positive reviews. Kendrick was awarded Director to Watch earlier this year at the Palm Springs Film Festival.
Woman of the Hour is listed as “coming soon” but no confirmed date.
