If you like true crime stories with a slight comedic twist, this Anna Kendrick film is for you.
In Argentine cinemas you can now enjoy the first movie directed by and starring Anna Kendrick, “The Dating Game Killer“, where Cheryl, a young single woman, appears on the hit 70’s TV show “The Dating Game” and chooses charming bachelor number three, Rodney Alcala. But behind Alcalá’s apparent kindness hides a terrifying secret: he is a psychopath, rapist and a serial killer.
This story developed by the actress of “Twilight”, “Notes Perfect” and “A Small Favor”, although it may seem fictitious and difficult to believe, is based on a true crime with a police resolution. The case, which occurred around the 1970s, continues to shock the public due to the audacity of the murderer.
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The story behind the film
Rodney Alcala appeared on the show The Dating Game in 1978, where he impressed the audience with his charisma and charm. However, behind his seductive facade, there was hidden a serial killer responsible for raping and murdering several women before appearing on television. Alcala began his criminal spiral in 1968when he tried to murder an eight-year-old girl. Although he managed to escape justice on that occasion, his crimes continued for years, with dozens of victims throughout the United States. It is estimated that there could be killed up to 130 people.
In 1978, a year before he was arrested for the murder of a 12-year-old girl, Alcala participated in The Dating Game. Although he won the episode, the woman who had chosen to date him, Cheryl Bradshawdecided not to continue the relationship after a date in which she described him as “disturbing“. This decision probably saved his life.
What happened to the murderer
In 1979, Rodney Alcala was finally arrested for the murder of Robin Samsoea 12-year-old girl whose tragic death shocked society. However, Alcala’s arrest was only the beginning of a more extensive investigation that, with the advancement of forensic technologies and DNA analysis in the following years, would reveal a even darker and more disturbing pattern of crimes. The new evidence collected managed to link Alcala to at least four additional murders, all carried out with a brutality that underlined the dangerousness of this individual.
In 2010, after years of court proceedings and appeals, it was sentenced to death penaltyreflecting the seriousness of his crimes. However, Alcala passed away in 2021 while awaiting execution on death row, putting an end to one of the most shocking criminal stories of recent times.
Source: Ambito
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
