Ladbible X Whatsapp
  • iconNews
  • videos
  • entertainment
  • Home
  • News
    • UK News
    • US News
    • Australia
    • Ireland
    • World News
    • Weird News
    • Viral News
    • Sport
    • Technology
    • Science
    • True Crime
    • Travel
  • Entertainment
    • Celebrity
    • TV & Film
    • Netflix
    • Music
    • Gaming
    • TikTok
  • LAD Originals
    • Say Maaate to a Mate
    • Daily Ladness
    • Lad Files
    • UOKM8?
    • FreeToBe
    • Extinct
    • Citizen Reef
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube

LAD Entertainment

YouTube

LAD Stories

Submit Your Content
Netflix viewers say serial killer's act in opening scene is 'one of the most chilling things they’ve ever seen’

Home> Entertainment> Netflix

Published 13:34 21 Oct 2024 GMT+1

Netflix viewers say serial killer's act in opening scene is 'one of the most chilling things they’ve ever seen’

The film opens on a bold and horrifying note

Michael Slavin

Michael Slavin

Netflix viewers are saying a serial killer’s act in the opening scene of a newly dropped movie on the streamer is ‘one of the most chilling things they’ve ever seen’.

This is an incredibly high bar, because those who follow horror and thrillers know that the worst of the worst out there in films goes to a very extreme level.

If you ask me though, it’s not the out there crazy kills that make me uncomfortable.

Advert

The real thing that makes my skin crawl is when it’s close enough to reality to make you shiver in your spine.

This is an experience I shared with Netflix viewers watching Woman of the Hour, and the more I read about the real case that inspired the movie, the more valid this instinct felt.

The film focuses on the true story of Rodney Alcala, a serial killer in the 70s who was found guilty of murdering eight women and girls - though the number he killed is thought to be as high as 100+.

Advert

Alcala appeared on The Dating Show, a blind date show in which he was chosen to go on a date with a woman called Cheryl Bradshaw.

Bradshaw - who is played by the film's director Anna Kendrick - got an instinct, however, which resulted in her cancelling the date with him.

Anna Kendrick and Daniel Zovatto in Woman of the Hour (Netflix)
Anna Kendrick and Daniel Zovatto in Woman of the Hour (Netflix)

But what got viewers feeling churned up was the first scene of the film, which showed Alcala - who worked as a photographer - taking photos of a woman in a remote part of the desert.

After the pair share an emotional conversation, things take a turn when Alcala suddenly jumps on her and strangles her.

Advert

He is then shown resuscitating her. She tries to wriggle away before he drags her back and continues his sadistic torture, with the film thankfully cutting away before this begins.

The scene is incredibly haunting and unsettling, and has left many watching unnerved.

Alcala would often resuscitate his victims to continue his torture (Netflix)
Alcala would often resuscitate his victims to continue his torture (Netflix)

In an official discussion of the film, one viewer commented saying: “I was not expecting someone to be resuscitated to be further tortured in just the first scene…”

Another replied saying: “I told my wife from the other room that I was glad she decided not to watch that part. I think that's one of the most chilling (i.e horror) things I've ever seen.”

Advert

The thing most horrifying about the scene is that this was something that Alcala is reported to have done to several of his victims.

Speaking to Digital Spy about the opening, Kendrick said: “I was frankly shocked with myself for being so firm.

The opening scene is bold if unsettling (Netflix)
The opening scene is bold if unsettling (Netflix)

“I think I said something along the lines of, 'If it's really important to you guys that the movie open in a nightclub and have a certain feeling, that's fine, but I don't know how to make that movie'.

“I was like, 'I can't believe I'm saying this. This is like my first directing opportunity and I'm being kind of ballsy'.

Advert

"So, there was a part of me that was like, 'Who do I think I am saying this?' But yeah, I love that opening scene.

“I also feel like I have to say that, of course, when you really, really fight for something, then at least you feel very, very happy with the result.”

Featured Image Credit: Netflix

Topics: True Crime, Horror, Netflix, TV and Film, Film

Michael Slavin
Michael Slavin

Michael Slavin is LADbible's dedicated specialist Film and TV writer. Following his completion of a Masters in International Journalism at Salford University, he began working for the Warrington Guardian as a reporter. Throughout this he did freelance work about Entertainment for publications such as DiscussingFilm, where he was the Film and TV editor. Now, he is LAD's go to voice on all things Netflix, True Crime, and UK TV, as well as interviewing huge global stars such as Jake Gyllenhaal, Daisy Ridley, and Ben Stiller.

X

@michaelslavin98

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

13 hours ago
15 hours ago
  • 13 hours ago

    Oasis fans in shock after hearing soundcheck for first gig in 16 years this week

    Liam and Noel Gallagher are back with their Live '25 Tour on Friday (4 July)

    Entertainment
  • 13 hours ago

    Will it be illegal to watch controversial film as UK government contemplates terrorism ban

    The documentary covers the work of Palestine Action who look set to be proscribed as a terror organisation

    Entertainment
  • 15 hours ago

    Netflix's strict three point policy explained after u-turn banning subscribers from watching Line of Duty

    Netflix have reversed a decision on a popular BBC show

    Entertainment
  • 15 hours ago

    Ex-reality star says she has been 'free from masturbation' for 10 years

    Madison Prewett has revealed that she's led a life without porn of self-pleasure for the last decade

    Entertainment
  • Horror fans 'desensitised' to gore say scene in Demi Moore horror is 'one of most disgusting they've ever seen'
  • Chilling moment serial killer is chosen on gameshow in real life footage that inspired Woman Of The Hour
  • The chilling secret pictures real-life serial killer from Netflix’s Woman of the Hour took of his victims
  • New Sam Raimi serial killer thriller with insane twist watched by 20 million Netflix viewers in a week