What’s fact and what’s fiction in Woman of the Hour? Behind the harrowing true story

Woman of the Hour has taken Netflix by storm this week, and the terrifying thriller is based on a true story. Director and star Anna Kendrick did an amazing job of getting the film to be as accurate as possible, but she also made a few of the key details up for the drama of it. Here’s what’s fact and what’s fiction in Woman of the Hour versus its insane true story.

The real Cheryl Bradshaw refused to go out with Rodney at all

via Netflix

In the film, Cheryl Bradshaw went out with Rodney to a seedy bar for a drink, where she decided he was incredibly creepy and refused to see him again. He almost attacked her as she was walking to her car but she was thankfully saved by the appearance of a group of men in the car park.

In reality, the real Cheryl Bradshaw didn’t go that far. She told the producer of the show that she wouldn’t be going anywhere with him.

“I started to feel ill. He was acting really creepy,” Cheryl said. “I turned down his offer. I didn’t want to see him again.”

Rodney Alcala wasn’t the great feminist he was made out to be in the film

In the fictional version of The Dating Game, Rodney Alcala seemed to be a progressive gentleman which is what swayed his victory. However, the real footage of Rodney showed him being just as lewd as the rest of the contestants. When asked what type of dessert he would be, he said that he would be a “banana” and told the real-life Cheryl Bradshaw to “peel me.” Charming!

The audience member who recognised Rodney wasn’t real

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Laura, the audience member who recognised Rodney Alcala and tried to alert the show’s producers about him, was never real. She was made up for dramatic effect in the show but never actually existed.

Cheryl’s name was changed to differentiate her from the character

Cheryl Bradshaw’s real name was Cheryl with a C, but Anna Kendrick decided to change the name to Sheryl in the film to differentiate the fictional character and the real person, who left Hollywood to lead a very private life.

“Cheryl is one of those people that we know very little about,” she explained to RadioTimes.

Rodney Alcala was freed again after his final arrest

via Netflix

Rodney Alcala’s arrest was quite the dramatic ending in the film after the runaway escaped and called the police. But, in reality, he was set free after his mother posted his bail. He would go on to kill a 21 year old woman and a 12 year old girl before he was arrested for good at the end of 1979.

Woman of the Hour is available on Netflix now. For all the latest Netflix news, drops, quizzes and memes like The Holy Church of Netflix on Facebook. 

Related stories recommended by this writer:

• Woman of the Hour: Rodney Alcala’s appearance on The Dating Game was far more sinister IRL

• An uncanny side by side comparison of the Woman of the Hour cast versus the real people

• What happened to Monique Hoyt, the runaway who escaped Rodney Alcala in Woman of the Hour?