Woman of the Hour ending explained: Small victory amid chaos of Rodney Alcala’s crimes in Anna Kendrick's directorial debut

Woman of the Hour unpacks the unsettling truth behind Rodney Alcala's appearance on The Dating Game revealing the chilling reality of his crimes.

A still from Woman of the Hour

Anna Kendrick's directorial debut, Woman of the Hour is finally streaming in India on Lionsgate Play (OTTplay Premium). The film treads a delicate line in its climax that warrants discussion. An uplifting moment occurs when juvenile runaway Amy (Autumn Best), who manages to escape from serial killer Rodney Alcala (Daniel Zovatto), turns him into the authorities. Regrettably, the film's closing credits reveal Alcala's release on bond and his subsequent murder.

Climax and emotional dissonance in the film

The film fades to black just as Amy lets out a painful gasp, capturing both of those emotions at the last minute. Dissonance abounds in Woman of the Hour since it features a serial killer who wins a dating game show and has a rendezvous with death.

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Despite how unbelievable it sounds, the film's portrayal of Alcala and Bradshaw's first encounter as The Dating Game players is based on actual events. In the 1970s, while committing a string of horrible killings, a serial murderer did come on the game show and win. The film states that some have estimated the number of victims to be as high as 130. The real-life Alcala had already murdered at least three women before appearing on the show, and he killed at least two more after his segment.

Timeline of Rodney Alcala's crimes

In a side story, Alcala's victim's friend Laura (Nicolette Robinson) spots him on The Dating Game. The film employs this staged scene to illustrate the frequency with which ordinary individuals overlook crimes. In 1977 Alcala murders a pregnant Wyoming lady after photographing her in the opening scene of Woman of the Hour.

The film fast-forwards to 1978, the year of Sheryl Bradshaw's near-miss with Alcala on The Dating Game and her life in Hollywood. It's the pivotal moment in the plot—and the one that the movie keeps going back to.

The events of 1979 continue in San Gabriel, California, after Alcala's performance on the Dating Game when he rescues Amy, a runaway teenager. This subplot recurs repeatedly throughout the film. Sheryl is getting ready to appear in 1978, and the show returns to The Dating Game.

In 1971, we rewind to when Alcala was in New York City and murdered a girl he had helped move. Sheryl and her three suitors set the stage for The Dating Game in 1978. In the audience, Laura takes a seat.

In 1977, police questioned Alcala while he was working at the Los Angeles Times about the crimes of another serial killer. Laura reunites with Alcala on The Dating Game in 1978, having known him since his last encounter with her deceased friend. She attempts to alert the cast and crew. Simultaneously, Alcala secures Sheryl's date.

Amy’s escape and Alcala’s tears in the desert

In 1979, while driving with Amy, Alcala comes clean about his true character. In 1978, on an awkward date, Alcala threatened Sheryl in the parking lot. Alcala is on the verge of murdering Sheryl when a few potential witnesses intervene. After mending fences with her partner, Laura informs the authorities about Alcala's appearance on TV; Sheryl returns home. After Alcala attacked Amy in 1979, she realised she had a chance to get away. Alcala calls the police from a diner on her way to the petrol station.

The runaway he finds in San Gabriel, Amy (Best), ultimately brings down Alcala. After leading her into the desert, he assaults her and, in a moment of self-pity, begins to cry. Alcala's tears, for unknown reasons, provide Amy with an opportunity to escape. In a surprising turn of events, she begs her would-be assailant not to inform anyone about what has transpired, ultimately persuading him to spare her. She then dashes for assistance as soon as they reach a petrol station.

Sheryl’s survival and small victories amidst horror

Finally, while he is in the desert, authorities take Alcala into custody. Kendrick's character, Sheryl, survives after enduring a date with him and narrowly escaping his violent tendencies. Even amid his criminal rampage, women have achieved a small victory. Sheryl, returning home from her appearance on The Dating Game takes a stand against her overbearing neighbour Pete Holmes before concluding that Hollywood isn't for her.

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