Based on the true story of serial killer Rodney Alcala who had the audacity to go on a hit dating show in the 1970s, with Sheryl Bradshaw having a rather lucky escape when she chooses him as the bachelor.
We are shown many different parts of Rodney’s story with different young women that he had targetted in his killing spree which spanned many years, he was dubbed the dating show killer due to the fact that he went on a dating show between different kills and how he was eventually caught?
The film is rather messy and didn’t really focus on Sheryl enough for me, like we weren’t really all that bothered about her as we just didn’t get enough background to truly care. I know that probably seems a little bit strange, but it is put across that she is the main character but it didn’t feel like that at all.
When I read the plot I really did have high hopes for this one, as come on a serial killer drama always has such high tension. I mean he was creepy and everything but it was just so boring. I don’t think it managed to pay any sort of tribute to any of his vicitims either. So I am not fully sure which direction Anna Kendrick was trying to go in as she directed the film as well as starring in it. I guess there was a reason why I hadn’t even heard of this until seeing that it had been added to Netflix.
One other note: he had actually already been convicted of crimes against women twice before this film picks up – and was in prison…but they didn’t feel the need to mention it!
Oh I read that after, which was certainly a weird thing to miss out! What did you think of the film?
We “liked” it but agree with everything you point out in your review, which was thoughtful and incisive as always –
Shocking that he was conviction of 8 murders I think? But they said the number could have been 130!
Yes he was truly despicable…oh and the movie says they were going to Carmel but in real life it was just a day trip to Magic Mountain theme park in town!