The film intricately weaves the chilling tales of Rodney Alcala's heinous crimes across various locations between 1971 and 1979, while simultaneously spotlighting the life of Sheryl Bradshaw, a struggling actress navigating the competitive landscape of Los Angeles in 1978. This compelling narrative ultimately leads to Sheryl's fateful encounter with Rodney on The Dating Game.
Set against the stark backdrop of 1977, we witness Rodney stalking a woman on the vast plains of Wyoming. After coaxing her into sharing her heartache over a recent breakup, he unleashes his true nature, first rendering her unconscious through strangulation, then reviving her momentarily before brutally ending her life. The story takes us back to 1971, where we meet Charlie, a flight attendant who is settling into her new apartment in New York City. Engaging with Rodney, who is capturing images across the street, she ends up unknowingly inviting a predator into her life, leading to her tragic assault and murder.
In Los Angeles, Sheryl Bradshaw, played by Katharine Hepburn, grapples with the pressures of her acting career as she attends auditions. Encouraged by her agent to participate in The Dating Game, it is a decision she initially views as potentially frivolous and without depth. Nevertheless, she puts on a brave face and heads to the studio for the taping, where the three bachelors await her behind a screen. When Rodney is revealed as Bachelor #3, the atmosphere thickens with tension.
A perceptive member of the audience, Laura, played by Fay Bainter, recognizes Rodney from a disturbing incident involving her friend Alison, who was found murdered shortly thereafter. Despite her best efforts to alert her boyfriend to her suspicions, he dismisses her concerns, suggesting that contestants are thoroughly vetted by the show's producers. Misfortune follows as she seeks to raise her alarm to a producer, only to be misdirected by a security guard.
As the game progresses, Sheryl's frustration with the scripted questions boils over, prompting her to deviate from the norms of the production with courage and wit. Notably, Rodney's charm starkly overshadows the other contestants, ultimately earning him a weekend getaway to Carmel with Sheryl.
After filming, tensions rise as the pair venture out for drinks, where Rodney attempts to connect with Sheryl by referencing her interests. However, his demeanor shifts ominously when teased, creating an unsettling atmosphere. Upon leaving the bar, he insists on accompanying her to her car, where he realizes earlier that she gave him a false phone number. When she flatly rejects the date proposal, his twisted nature erupts in threats.
Sheryl narrowly escapes Rodney's violent intentions in a deserted parking lot, racing to safety as he backs off when a crowd emerges. In a separate thread, Laura tries to alert the authorities concerning Rodney’s presence on the show, only to face ridicule when she fails to identify him or make a credible report.
Fast forward to 1979, where we are introduced to Amy, a teenage runaway who finds herself amidst life’s grim realities. After catching Rodney's eye outside a motel, he lures her with promises of modeling opportunities, only to bring her to a desolate area where the horror unfolds. Following this brutal attack, Amy displays astonishing resourcefulness by feigning embarrassment to gain Rodney's trust momentarily, using this opening to escape when they stop at a gas station.
A gripping postscript reveals the unsettling outcomes of Rodney's crimes; he was released on bail while awaiting trial, leading to further atrocities, ultimately resulting in the deaths of additional victims. After a lengthy incarceration, he had the chance for acquittal at trial, only thwarted by the testimony of an early victim who bravely stood against him. It is hauntingly estimated that his true number of victims could soar as high as 130, culminating in his death in prison after 31 harrowing years behind bars.
