The cult phenomenon of Rocky Horror is explored in depth like never before in this intimate, powerful documentary film by Linus, the son of Richard O’Brien – the creator of the show, with an extraordinary cast of contributors who were there when it was created.
From humble origins as a London fringe theatre play in 1973 to its meteoric rise as the biggest cult film of all time, this is the definitive story of the Rocky Horror Show.
For context the stage show has been seen by more than 35 million theatregoers in 30 countries worldwide andits movie incarnation, The Rocky Horror Picture Show is the the longest-running theatrical release in film history. It features iconic musical numbers like “Sweet Transvestite”, “Damn It Janet” and the show-stopping, get up and dance “Time Warp”.
Richard O’Brien screen still from Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror 2025
With intimate access to its creator Richard O’Brien and other major players such as Tim Curry who played Dr. Frank-N-Furter, director Jim Sharman and producer Lou Adler, the documentary explores what makes the play and film so singular: its groundbreaking and transgressive themes, iconic performances and epic songs and characters.
The Rocky Horror Show poster from Royal Court in 1973.
The documentary has interviews from the film’s original cast including Oscar-winner Susan Sarandon (Janet Weiss), Barry Bostwick (Brad Majors), Patricia Quinn (Magenta), and Nell Campbell (Columbia).
Celebrity fans such as Jack Black – a shoe-in for Meatloaf’s son, and RuPaul’s Drag Race winner Trixie Mattel also appear, sharing deeply personal reflections on Rocky Horror’s cultural impact along with with vox pops and film coverage of the thousands of people who go to the Midnight Rocky Horror Picture Show screenings – still showing around Halloween.
“Rocky Horror is unique in the way it created communities and spaces for people to express themselves without judgement—to feel liberated in every way they choose and to find a home among others like them. This documentary is as much a celebration of them as it is of Rocky Horror itself. The fans have taken this piece of art and made it their own, giving it a life beyond what my dad or any of its original creators could have imagined. While it’s unabashedly queer, what makes Rocky special is that it remains an inclusive and shared space for people of all genders and orientations—a place where so many have figured out who they are and who they want to be.” Director, Linus O’Brien
Kaleidoscope Entertainment has confirmed that Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror is set for a UK release on 3rd October.
I left this documentary informed and but a little sad; there were updates in news clips being included on drag being banned in the USA. Trixie Mattel says in the film, “you’d hope we lived in a world where Rocky Horror was a relic, but sadly, that’s not the case, which is why this documentary, and stories like it, are more important than ever.”
Rocky Horror is a joyful and life-affirming celebration of a remarkable cultural touchstone – filled with iconic music, campy madness, tears, and laughter – and loved the world over.
Hopefully somewhere you still have your prop bag of rice, newspaper, a torch, rubber gloves, toast, a party hat, bell, toilet paper and playing cards for Going Home.
It’s been fifty years and its still going strong. Thank you Richard.
About the film: The Rocky Horror Picture Show
The Rocky Horror Picture Show Turns 50.
The Disney corporation now owns the rights to “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” after its acquisition of 20th Century Fox. To celebrate the film’s 50th anniversary, Disney is releasing a 4K restoration of the movie on Blu-ray on 7 October and in cinemas, along with a tour and other events October 2025 – likely to be Halloween. The restoration also features a newly mixed Dolby Atmos audio track, bringing enhanced depth and dimension to the film’s iconic soundtrack.
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