You’ve probably seen the grainy footage. It is 1978. A man named Rodney Alcala is sitting on a stage, wearing a wide-collared shirt and a smug grin, competing for a date on The Dating Game. He won. That is the terrifying part. What’s even scarier is that while he was charming his way through TV sets, he was actively murdering women. Netflix’s Woman of the Hour (or La mujer del momento) tackles this skin-crawling true story, but it isn’t your typical trashy true crime flick. A huge reason it actually works—and doesn’t just feel like exploitation—is the la mujer del momento reparto.
Castings can make or break a period piece. If the actors look too "modern" or "Instagram-faced," the immersion breaks instantly. But here, Anna Kendrick, pulling double duty as director and star, assembled a group that feels hauntingly authentic to the late 70s.
The faces behind the fear: La mujer del momento reparto
Anna Kendrick plays Cheryl Bradshaw. Most of us know Kendrick from Pitch Perfect or her dry Twitter persona, but here she’s doing something much more internal. She’s an aspiring actress in Los Angeles, dealing with the casual, grinding sexism of the industry long before she ever sits next to a serial killer. It’s a meta-commentary on being a woman in a room full of men who don't really see you as a person.
Then there is Daniel Zovatto.
Honestly, Zovatto is the anchor of the la mujer del momento reparto. If you don’t recognize the name, you might remember him from It Follows or Station Eleven. He plays Rodney Alcala. Playing a real-life monster is a tightrope walk. Lean too far into "creepy" and it becomes a caricature; lean too far into "charming" and you risk glorifying a predator. Zovatto finds this middle ground where he’s just... off. He has this stillness. It’s the kind of performance that makes you want to wash your hands after watching.
Tony Hale and the 70s vibe
Seeing Tony Hale—the guy from Veep and Arrested Development—in this was a curveball. He plays Ed Burke, the host of the game show. He captures that specific brand of 1970s game show energy: tanned, toothy, and deeply condescending. He represents the systemic layer of the story. He isn't a killer, but he's part of the world that ignores the warning signs.
Then we have Nicolette Robinson as Laura. Her character is vital. She represents the "what if" of the story—the person who actually recognizes Alcala from a past trauma and tries to scream into the void, only to find that the institutions meant to protect people are fundamentally broken.
Why the casting works where others fail
True crime is a crowded room right now. Everyone is trying to be the next Dahmer, and frankly, a lot of it is gross.
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What makes the la mujer del momento reparto different is that the movie doesn't focus on the "genius" of the killer. It focuses on the victims and the survivors. Kendrick, as a director, chose actors who could convey a sense of mounting dread through glances rather than gore.
Take Autumn Best, who plays Amy. She’s a younger girl Alcala lures away. Her performance is heartbreaking because it feels so grounded. You aren't watching a "victim type"; you're watching a kid who is just trying to navigate a world that is stacked against her.
The supporting players you should know
The ensemble is filled out by names like:
- Kathryn Gallagher
- Kelley Jakle (a Pitch Perfect reunion of sorts)
- Pete Holmes (playing a "nice guy" role that takes a sharp turn)
The inclusion of Pete Holmes is actually a brilliant bit of casting. He has such a naturally friendly, approachable aura. Using that to illustrate how even "friendly" men in the 70s contributed to a culture of gaslighting women is a masterstroke. It makes the viewer uncomfortable in a way that feels intentional and necessary.
The Alcala connection: Real history vs. Screen
Rodney Alcala was known as "The Dating Game Killer" for a reason. He was eventually convicted of five murders, though some estimates suggest the number could be as high as 130. He was a photographer. He was a genius, supposedly, with a high IQ.
The film chooses to show him not as a mastermind, but as a pathetic, entitled man who was allowed to exist because people—mostly men in power—didn't listen to women. When you look at the la mujer del momento reparto, every character Alcala interacts with reflects a different way society failed.
The real Cheryl Bradshaw actually refused to go on the date with Alcala because she found him "creepy." That’s a win for intuition. In the movie, Kendrick plays this beautifully. It’s not a big action climax. It’s a quiet realization that the man sitting across from her is a predator.
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Production and Directorial Choices
Kendrick stepped into the director's chair because the original director dropped out. It was a "fine, I'll do it myself" moment.
Working with cinematographer Zach Kuperstein, she opted for a look that isn't just "sepia-toned nostalgia." It’s cold. The L.A. sun looks harsh, not warm. This visual language matches the performances of the la mujer del momento reparto. Everyone looks a little tired. Everyone looks like they're struggling.
The script, written by Ian McDonald, was originally titled The Dating Game. It sat on the "Black List" (the list of the best unproduced scripts in Hollywood) for years. By the time it got made, the title changed to something that centered the women rather than the game. This shift is reflected in how the actors are blocked. Alcala is often in the background, a looming shadow, while the women are front and center.
Looking at the technical side of the performances
There is a scene on the set of the game show where the lighting is incredibly bright—almost blinding.
Daniel Zovatto uses this. He blinks less. He stays in the light while others squint. It’s a small technical choice that makes him feel supernatural, even though he's just a man. Meanwhile, Tony Hale’s character is constantly adjusting his hair, his suit, his persona. It’s a contrast between a man who is a void (Alcala) and a man who is all surface (the host).
Misconceptions about the film
Some people went into this expecting a slasher. It isn't that.
If you are looking for a body count, you’re missing the point. The film is a thriller about the "near miss." It’s about the narrow margin between life and death. Because of this, the la mujer del momento reparto had to be capable of high-stakes subtely.
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One common critique of true crime is that it "makes the killer famous." Kendrick’s movie tries to fight this. By the end of the film, you don't feel like you know Alcala better; you feel like you know the world that produced him. You see the faces of the women he hurt, and those are the performances that stick.
Actor Backgrounds
- Daniel Zovatto: Born in Costa Rica, he’s been a horror staple for a decade. He brings a non-American perspective to a very American story of violence.
- Anna Kendrick: This is her first time directing. She’s stated in interviews that she didn't even intend to star in it, but the role of Cheryl felt too tied to her vision of the film to pass up.
- Nicolette Robinson: Primarily known for her stage work (including Waitress on Broadway), her ability to project emotion to the "back of the house" helps her character's desperation feel palpable even in quiet scenes.
Actionable Insights for Viewers
If you’re planning to watch Woman of the Hour or are researching the la mujer del momento reparto, keep a few things in mind to get the most out of the experience.
First, watch the real footage of Alcala on The Dating Game before or after the movie. It’s available on YouTube. Seeing how closely Zovatto mimics Alcala’s specific cadence and "calmness" adds a layer of appreciation for his craft.
Second, pay attention to the sound design. The film uses silence as a weapon. In the scenes where Cheryl is alone with Rodney, the lack of music creates an almost unbearable tension. This puts the weight entirely on the actors' shoulders.
Third, look into the real history of the victims. The film changes some names and timelines for narrative flow—which is standard for Hollywood—but the essence of the "systemic failure" is 100% factual. Alcala had been in and out of prison and was on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted list before he ever appeared on that show.
Next Steps for Film Enthusiasts
To truly understand the impact of the la mujer del momento reparto, you should look into the "Black List" history of the screenplay. It provides context on why it took so long for this story to be told from a female perspective.
Additionally, compare this film to other 2024-2025 true crime releases. Notice the difference in "the gaze." Most films about serial killers are told from the perspective of the police or the killer himself. This film is a rare example of the survivor's gaze.
- Research the real-life Cheryl Bradshaw’s interviews.
- Follow Daniel Zovatto’s filmography to see his range in the horror genre.
- Read up on Anna Kendrick’s directorial process—she has been quite vocal about the challenges of indie filmmaking and the importance of casting for chemistry over "star power."
The film serves as a reminder that the most dangerous people don't always look like monsters. Sometimes, they're the guy on the TV screen, making a joke and waiting for the cameras to turn off.