Netflix Woman of the Hour's explosive ending explained and what really happened to Rodney Alcala

Netflix's Woman of the Hour tells the story of serial killer Rodney Alcala, with the ending of the film set to be a harrowing experience for viewers

*Warning: Contains spoilers for Woman of the Hour*.

Netflix's latest release Woman of the Hour, is a must-see for true crime enthusiasts as it recounts some of the heinous crimes committed by serial killer Rodney Alcala.

In a series of events that may seem unbelievable, the film portrays the time Alcala appeared on a US game show in the midst of his killing spree.

Anna Kendrick plays Cheryl, the unsuspecting bachelorette who unwittingly agrees to a date with the dangerous killer.

The unsettling final scene and other events are all based on actual murders and assaults committed by Alcala, who later became known as The Dating Game Killer thanks to his TV cameo.

But what exactly unfolds in the ending of Woman of the Hour? How much of it is factual, and what really transpired after the credits rolled? Here's everything you need to know.

Early in the film, we meet the character 'Amy', portrayed by Autumn Best, whose journey culminates in the film's climax. She is depicted as homeless, stealing change from a laundromat, and soon encounters Daniel Zovatto's Rodney, reports the Mirror.

About three quarters into the film, Rodney persuades her to let him photograph her, and they drive to a secluded location. The setting and situation eerily mirror the film's opening scene. By the end of the film, Amy has been brutally assaulted both physically and sexually, with her jeans left around her ankles in a chilling image.

While the credits identify her as Amy, the character is actually based on Monique Hoyt. Hoyt was a 15-year-old hitchhiker who Alcala picked up in 1979, a year after his appearance on The Dating Game.

In reality, he took her to his flat where he assaulted her before taking her to a secluded mountain area and attacking her again, striking her head with a rock.

She did indeed manage to escape when Alcala entered a rest stop bathroom, as depicted in the film, and she reported the incident to the police. However, the film concludes with officers descending on Rodney's location and forcefully arresting him. It's unclear where he was arrested, but it's not believed to have happened so swiftly.

The film ends with text confirming that the killer was back on the streets shortly afterwards. What it omits is that his mother posted his bail. The final image of the film is chilling, as 'Amy', one of only a handful of Alcala's victims who survived, takes a sudden breath.

As the pre-credits message informs the audience, Alcala's horrific deeds were far from over. He killed at least twice more following the events depicted in the final scene.

First was Jill Marie Parenteau, 21, in June 1979, who didn't show up for work the day after attending a baseball game. Her body was discovered in her flat, and Alcala cut himself while climbing through a window which proved to be detail that would help authorities link him to the scene.

A week later, Alcala claimed the life of 12-year-old Robin Samsoe, who vanished while cycling home from her ballet class. Her body was discovered in the Los Angeles foothills 12 days after the attack, bearing signs of beating and stabbing.

Samsoe's friends informed the police that a stranger had approached them offering to take photographs before she disappeared.

A sketch was drawn up and recognised by Alcala's parole officer. This time, he was apprehended and detained without bail. Alcala would eventually be handed three death sentences for his crimes in 1980, 1986 and 2010.

Woman of the Hour is now available to stream on Netflix