Anna Kendrick’s ‘The Dating Game’ thriller is inspired by true events

Netflix’s new true crime thriller Woman of the Day it could be based on a true storyBut how many of the characters are actually based on real-life people?

Anna KendrickHis directorial debut chronicles the 1978 appearance of serial killer Rodney Alcala. Flirting Game. Alcala, played by Daniel Zovatto in the film, worked as a photographer but had a much more insidious hobby as a sexual harasser and serial killer. Although he was chosen as the winner of the actual broadcast by that episode’s bachelorette, Cheryl Bradshaw (Kendrick), the pair never met for their date in real life.

In addition to Kendrick and Zovatto’s characters, Tony Hale and Fall’s Best game characters based on game show host Jim Lange and one of Alcala’s surviving victims, respectively. Matt Visser and Jedidiah Goodacre also play versions of Alcala’s real-life co-stars, portraying two other eligible bachelors in the running. Flirting Game. While Kendrick’s film takes certain creative liberties with its characters and events, you might be surprised by how much of the film is based in reality.

Like Woman of the Day It continues to fascinate audiences with its stranger-than-fiction story. Entertainment Weekly I decided to take a closer look at the real people portrayed in the thriller set in the 1970s. Read on to learn more about Woman of the Day inspiration for the actors and their characters.

Relating to: Woman of the Day true story: the real-life serial killer behind the Anna Kendrick movie

Anna Kendrick as Sheryl Bradshaw, aka Cheryl Bradshaw

Kendrick portrays Bradshaw. a fictional version contestant Cheryl Bradshaw. “Sheryl is the most fictionalized part of the movie,” Kendrick said in the film’s press notes. “There is very little publicly available information about the actual person, so we don’t have any information about Sheryl’s previous life. Flirting Game basically a fictional version of a woman in the 1970s.”

Kendrick said in press notes that since the full version of the episode featuring Bradshaw is no longer available to watch, Kendrick and the film crew were allowed to create “a fantasy version of what we all wish we could say at a pivotal moment.” . “During the taping of the show, I loved acting out this fantasy of her breaking free and gaining some power,” the director explained. “Because maybe for the first time in Sheryl’s life, maybe she’s not looking down on herself.” “

Unlike the film, Bradshaw never met Alcala again after casting him. Flirting Game. Producer Ellen Metzger recalled a subject 20/20 section Bradshaw, who profiled Alcala’s crimes and television appearances, called him the day after the taping and told him he did not plan to see Alcala on available dates. “He said, ‘Ellen, I can’t date this guy,'” Metzger told 20/20. “‘He’s got weird vibes coming off of him. He’s so weird. I’m not comfortable. Is this going to be a problem?'” Metzger recalled, “And of course I said, ‘No.'”

Tony Hale as Ed Burke aka Jim Lange

Hale plays sultry host Ed Burke. Flirting Gamehowever, in real life, the show was hosted by veteran game show host Jim Lange. Lange was a well-known broadcaster who began his career in San Francisco radio before moving to Los Angeles. Flirting Game In addition target board (1980-1982) and The Name Who Sings the 100,000 Dollar Song (1984–1985). Although Hale’s character has a different name, her appearance and mannerisms bear more than a passing resemblance to Lange. Lange died of a heart attack at his home in Mill Valley, California, at the age of 81.

On With Kyle Meredith… Hale said her character was meant to represent the brash, sexist culture of the 1970s. “It had a rhythm and cadence that symbolized its disconnection from reality,” he explained. “(The film) does not glorify the serial killer. “It’s about the victims, and that was important to me.”

Daniel Zovatto as Rodney Alcala

Of all the real people depicted Woman of the Daylower best known. Authorities eventually determined that he had appeared on television. Flirting Game, Alcala had already killed First confirmed victim: 23-year-old airline stewardess Cornelia Crilley. In 1980, Alcala was convicted of kidnapping and murdering 12-year-old Robin Samsoe. In 2010, he was tried for four more murders in New York after advances in forensic science linked his DNA to the crime scene. Associated Press He reported that Alcala may have killed as many as 130 people in the 1970s; Many of these allegedly took place before appearing on the game show.

following star Zovatto was apprehensive about taking on the role of Alcala because she felt it offered her new opportunities to explore her range. “It seemed like a really exciting and great challenge to go with Anna, who had full confidence in me,” Zovatto said. PEOPLE.

Zovatto said much of Alcala’s life before he appeared on television was little known. Us Weekly He said he looks at the convicted murderer’s photography career as an insight into the character.

“He was just a chameleon and was able to influence people and manipulate them. And that was the golden key to everything for me. “I thought, ‘Oh my God, I know who this guy is now,'” he explained. “Because most of the information (that is out there) is sent by mail. Flirting Game “Like when he was caught and at the trials.”

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Matt Visser as Bachelor #1, aka Armand Cerami

A relative newcomer to the industry, Visser played a version of Armand Cerami, who was actually the 3rd Bachelor. Flirting Game section. (Alcala was the #1 bachelor in real life, but this was changed for the film.)

Little is known about Cerami, but he recalled in 2010: Flirting Game mass I wasn’t supporting Alcala to win. “People (in the audience) were actually snickering and even softly booing about his answers,” Cerami said. Rolling stone.

Jedidiah Goodacre as Bachelor #2, aka Jed Mills

Goodacre plays a version of Jed Mills, who appeared in #2 in the original episode and would later play the owner of the fat-free yogurt shop. seinfield. inside 20/20 In the episode profiling Alcala, Mills recalled the “scary” encounter she had with Alcala in the green room during the taping of the show; During this encounter, the soon-to-be convicted murderer told him, “I can always have my daughter.”

This encounter is on its way Woman of the Day almost exactly as it is, depicting a barbed backstage conversation between Alcala (Zovatto) and Goodacre’s Bachelor No. 2; Here the serial killer admits that he usually wins the woman he sets his sights on. When Sheryl picks Alcala as the winner of the show, Bachelor No. 2 warns her to “watch out for that hole” as she leaves the stage.

Best of Autumn as Amy

The Best stars Amy, a composite of several of Alcala’s victims. Her character is largely based on Monique Hoyt, who survived Alcala’s attack and later survived. testify at trial. There are also shades in Amy of Tali Shapiro, another Alcala victim who was just 8 years old when Alcala kidnapped her on her way home from school. Shapiro too He testified against Alcala As a surprise witness at his last trial. According to the film’s footnote, it was his statement that “put the nail in Alcala’s coffin.”

Although Best was thought to be intimidated by his character, Best found Zovatto to be a comforting presence on set. “Danny is the nicest guy on the planet,” she told PEOPLE. “Very friendly, warm and supportive.” Woman of the Day It’s Best’s first film, and Zovatto helped her move past any concerns.

“He said: ‘I can tell you’re very nervous, and I can tell you’re experiencing a little bit of imposter syndrome about it, but you’re very talented and there’s no reason for you to feel that way,'” she recalled.

Woman of the Day It’s streaming on Netflix.

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