Viewers left 'creeped out' by Netflix film trailer as they discover disturbing true story it's based on

A serial killer who appeared on a TV dating show in the seventies serves as the inspiration for an upcoming Netflix film, with the first official trailer leaving viewers terrified.

Woman of the Hour marks the directorial debut of Anna Kendrick, who also stars as an aspiring actress, Cheryl Bradshaw, who crosses paths with a killer on an episode of The Dating Game. It is based on the true story of Rodney Alcala, a serial killer who appeared on - and ultimately won - a TV dating show in 1978.

The woman who chose him as her date soon backed out, reportedly describing him as "creepy". Alcala then went on to rape and murder more women, having already killed several before his TV appearance. He was ultimately convicted of seven murders, though this number could be much higher.

The film looks set to focus on the events leading up to the TV appearance and throughout it predominantly through the eyes of Cheryl (Kendrick). An official synopsis reads: "The stranger-than-fiction story of an aspiring actress in 1970s Los Angeles and a serial killer in the midst of a years-long murder spree, whose lives intersect when they’re cast on an episode of The Dating Game."

The first trailer for the film was released on Tuesday (October 1) which shows how Kendrick's character ends up in the same studio as Alcala (portrayed in the film by Daniel Zovatto).

Watch the trailer for Woman of the Hour below

Reacting to the footage, one viewer shared: "Rodney Alcala…. that just creeped me all kinds of out," while another shared their excitement for the film. "Anna Kendrick giving me another reason to live through 2024! This looks amazing" they wrote.

One comment under the trailer read: "Finally the Dating Game Killer is being played on screen.