Simone: Woman of the Century

In 1977 Wyoming, serial killer Rodney Alcala spots a woman in the plains and uses his charm to engage her in conversation. He learns about her painful breakup and uses this emotional vulnerability to strangle her; after briefly reviving her, he completes the murder.

In 1979, a young runaway named Amy lives on the streets in San Gabriel, occasionally stealing to survive. Rodney Alcala notices her at a motel and claims he can help her launch a modeling career by taking her photo, which Amy naively believes.

Rodney drives Amy to a desolate location in the desert during sunset. After a brief photoshoot, he ambushes her, leading to a brutal encounter where she fights for her life, but ultimately, Rodney overpowers her.

In 1971, flight attendant Charlie moves into a new apartment in New York City. She encounters Rodney across the street, who offers to help her move furniture, unaware that this act of kindness will end in her brutal murder.

In 1978 Los Angeles, aspiring actress Sheryl Bradshaw is urged by her agent to appear on The Dating Game. Initially reluctant, Sheryl is convinced by her friend that this opportunity could lead to significant career advancement.

As the taping of The Dating Game begins, three bachelors are introduced, one of whom is Rodney. The audience, including audience member Laura, has no idea that he is a serial killer, leading to further tension throughout the show.

During the show, audience member Laura recognizes Rodney and relates him to her friend Alison, who was found murdered. Despite her instincts, her boyfriend dismisses her concerns, further complicating the situation as she seeks to warn others.

Feeling that the scripted questions on The Dating Game are sexist, Sheryl decides to deviate from the original format. This spontaneity allows Rodney to charm her, ultimately winning the date prize and setting the stage for danger.

After the taping, Sheryl accompanies Rodney for drinks. Although he initially portrays himself as charming and knowledgeable, his demeanor changes suddenly when she teases him, revealing a more menacing side.

As Sheryl tries to leave the studio, Rodney insists on walking her to her car. When she gives him a fake number, he becomes threatening, and she narrowly escapes a potential attack just in time as a group exits the studio.

The following day, Laura approaches the police to report her suspicions about Rodney after the show. Unfortunately, her report is dismissed because she cannot positively identify him, leaving her feeling frustrated and helpless.

In a shocking turn in 1979, Amy wakes up bloodied and bound next to Rodney in the desert. She plays on his emotions to gain his trust, eventually convincing him to untie her and making a successful escape at a gas station.

Following Amy's escape, the police are called, and Rodney is arrested for his heinous actions. Despite the mounting evidence against him and multiple testimonies, he is shockingly released on bail as he awaits trial.

Remarkably, after being released on bail, Rodney murders another woman and a young girl, showcasing his dangerous freedom. The justice system's failure to keep him behind bars leads to even more victims, sparking public outrage.

Rodney is re-arrested in 1979 after his continued crimes come to light. In 2010, an adult Amy testifies against him during a retrial, but it’s suggested that his true victim count may be as high as 130, highlighting his notorious legacy.