In 1977, set against the vast landscapes of Wyoming, a chilling tale unfolds as the would-be serial killer Rodney Alcala begins to prey on unsuspecting victims. One particular evening, he photographs a woman against the expansive plains. After coaxing her to share her heart-wrenching story about a broken relationship, he brutally strangles her. To add to the horror, he surprisingly revives her, only to suffocate her once more—a chilling cycle of manipulation and murder.
Fast forward to 1979, in the bustling city of San Gabriel, we meet Amy, a young runaway who finds herself scraping by on the unforgiving streets. One fateful day, Rodney spots her while she sits at a motel and sweet-talks his way into her life, promising to launch her modeling career through a photo shoot. Caught in the web of his deceit, Amy agrees to accompany him to a desolate location where the sun dips below the horizon. In a dramatic sequence, as he photographs her under the fading light of the desert, he suddenly turns the moment into an ambush that marks his chilling rise.
The narrative shifts back to 1971 in vibrant New York City, where we meet Charlie, an aspiring flight attendant settling into a new apartment. Unbeknownst to her, Rodney, lurking across the street, offers assistance with her move but under the guise of friendly help. This seemingly innocuous interaction quickly turns sinister when he assaults and ultimately takes her life, further solidifying his terrifying legacy.
Moving along the timeline to 1978 in Los Angeles, we find Sheryl Bradshaw, a determined actress making her way through a string of auditions. Her agent, Helen, encourages her to appear on the television show The Dating Game, suggesting it might just be the break she needs. Initially skeptical, Sheryl finally agrees, persuaded by her friend Terry that it's an excellent chance to broaden her horizons and potentially meet a significant other. As she walks onto the set, the three bachelors are presented to her, with Bachelor #3 being none other than Rodney himself.
In the audience, Laura recognizes Rodney as the man associated with her friend Alison, found murdered at the beach. Despite her suspicions, her boyfriend Ken dismisses her fears, suggesting that she may have made a mistake. Determined to uncover the truth, Laura approaches a security guard asking for a producer, but her quest is thwarted when she’s misdirected.
During the game show, Sheryl opts to deviate from the scripted questions, showcasing her wit and intelligence. Rodney, adept at playing the charm card, comes off as more appealing than his rivals, ultimately winning the 'date' prize to visit Carmel with Sheryl. Post-filming, they grab drinks, where Rodney tries to ingratiate himself, but tension escalates when he misinterprets her teasing demeanor. As she retreats to her car, Rodney stalks her demanding her number, sensing that it's fake, and a harrowing moment occurs when he threatens her. Thankfully, her escape is facilitated by the sudden appearance of bystanders from the studio.
The following day, Laura recounts her suspicions concerning Rodney to the police but is met with indifference since she cannot identify him positively.
The desperate plea of Amy in 1979 resonates as the narrative pivots back to her, tied up and bloodied in the vast desert next to Rodney. **"I'm just embarrassed," she plays on his emotions, attempting to gain his trust. In a drastic turn, she manages to flee after convincing him to untie her, leading to his arrest when police arrive.
A striking postscript reveals the horrific aftermath of Rodney's reign of terror. After his preliminary arrest, he was inexplicably released on bail, despite numerous testimonies linking him to multiple murders, including a young girl. Ultimately, he was re-arrested later in 1979. In 2010, a pivotal trial unfolds where the now-adult Amy testifies against him. The grim statistics indicate that his actual victim count could be alarmingly high, reaching up to 130 lives lost. Meanwhile, Sheryl has distanced herself from California, choosing to embrace a quieter life dedicated to family away from the shadows of her past.
The saga concludes with Rodney dying in prison, a testament to the evil he wrought and the lives he shattered.
