The Rocky Horror Picture Show is a cult classic unlike any other—a musical, a satire, a love letter to B-movies, and an outrageous celebration of sexual liberation and camp. Directed by Jim Sharman and adapted from the stage musical The Rocky Horror Show by Richard O’Brien, the film is a bizarre, glitter-filled experience that became one of the longest-running theatrical releases in history, thanks to its legendary midnight screenings and participatory fan culture.
Detailed Summary
The Stormy Night and the Strange Castle
Brad Majors (Barry Bostwick) and Janet Weiss (Susan Sarandon), an innocent and newly engaged couple, are driving through a storm after attending a wedding. Their car breaks down, forcing them to seek shelter at a nearby castle. The castle belongs to Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Tim Curry), a flamboyant and eccentric scientist who describes himself as a “sweet transvestite from Transsexual, Transylvania.”
The couple is quickly pulled into the chaos of the castle’s bizarre inhabitants, including Riff Raff (Richard O’Brien), Magenta (Patricia Quinn), and Columbia (Nell Campbell).
The Birth of Rocky
Frank-N-Furter reveals that he’s been working on a creation—his own version of the perfect man. In a dramatic musical number, he unveils Rocky Horror (Peter Hinwood), a muscular, blond, Frankenstein-like creation brought to life in the lab. Frank’s intentions are clear: Rocky is meant to be his ideal lover.
This section of the movie combines mad-scientist horror tropes with rock opera energy, creating one of the most famous sequences in musical cinema.
Eddie’s Entrance and Chaos
Suddenly, Eddie (Meat Loaf), a rock-and-roll biker, bursts out of a deep freeze and sings “Hot Patootie.” His energy fills the room until Frank, jealous and enraged, kills him with an ice pick and returns to his experiment as though nothing happened. It’s one of the film’s wildest tonal shifts—fun, shocking, and deeply strange.
Seduction and Transformation
As the night goes on, both Brad and Janet are seduced by Frank-N-Furter in two separate, humorously similar scenes, further blurring lines of morality, gender, and desire. The film transitions from simple parody to a gleeful exploration of sexual fluidity and rebellion.
Janet, confused and liberated, later seeks comfort with Rocky, beginning a brief and passionate affair.
Dr. Scott and the Revelation
The next day, Dr. Everett V. Scott (Jonathan Adams), Brad and Janet’s old teacher, arrives at the castle searching for his nephew Eddie. His arrival triggers chaos, as Frank suspects Dr. Scott of being a government spy sent to investigate his experiments.
This leads to one of the most iconic musical numbers, “Floor Show/Rose Tint My World,” in which all the characters perform in lingerie, embracing the absurdity of their situation.
Movie Ending
In the film’s final act, Riff Raff and Magenta reveal their true intentions. They are actually aliens from the planet Transsexual in the galaxy of Transylvania, and they have decided to overthrow Frank-N-Furter. They kill him, along with Columbia and Rocky, using a laser beam in a dramatic act of rebellion.
Before leaving Earth, Riff Raff declares that they are returning to their home planet, disgusted by Frank’s decadence and chaos. The castle transforms into a spaceship, taking off into the sky and leaving Brad, Janet, and Dr. Scott stranded and traumatized in the ruins.
As the narrator, the Criminologist (Charles Gray), solemnly delivers the final monologue, he reflects on humanity’s smallness and vulnerability in the vastness of the universe:
“And crawling on the planet’s face… some insects called the human race.”
The ending is tragic, surreal, and deeply symbolic—a commentary on freedom, repression, and the consequences of unrestrained indulgence.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No, The Rocky Horror Picture Show does not include any post-credits scenes. However, the end credits play over the reprise of “Science Fiction/Double Feature,” and some later home releases add an epilogue-like version of this song. While not a traditional post-credits scene, this closing moment serves as a melancholic farewell to the film’s outrageous journey.
Type of Movie
This film is a musical comedy horror, blending elements of science fiction, parody, and glam rock aesthetics. It also stands as one of the first major cult films, celebrated for its boundary-pushing themes and interactive screenings.
Cast
- Tim Curry as Dr. Frank-N-Furter
- Susan Sarandon as Janet Weiss
- Barry Bostwick as Brad Majors
- Richard O’Brien as Riff Raff
- Patricia Quinn as Magenta
- Nell Campbell (Little Nell) as Columbia
- Jonathan Adams as Dr. Everett V. Scott
- Peter Hinwood as Rocky Horror
- Meat Loaf as Eddie
- Charles Gray as The Criminologist/Narrator
Film Music and Composer
Music and lyrics were written by Richard O’Brien, who also co-starred in the film. Songs like “Time Warp,” “Sweet Transvestite,” and “Toucha Toucha Touch Me” became cult anthems. The soundtrack fuses glam rock, doo-wop, and classic rock’n’roll influences, perfectly capturing the film’s over-the-top style.
Filming Locations
The movie was filmed primarily at Bray Studios in England and Oakley Court, a Victorian Gothic mansion that gave the castle its eerie and decadent look. Oakley Court had been used in several Hammer horror films, making it a perfect nod to the B-movie horror aesthetic the film celebrates.
Awards and Nominations
While The Rocky Horror Picture Show didn’t win major awards upon release, it later earned a place in the U.S. National Film Registry for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.” Its biggest accolade is its enduring legacy—it remains one of the longest-running theatrical releases in history.
Behind the Scenes Insights
- The film was shot in the middle of a cold English winter, and the castle had no heating. Susan Sarandon caught pneumonia during filming.
- Tim Curry’s performance was so iconic that many believed he would be typecast forever.
- The “Time Warp” sequence was originally added to lengthen the runtime for the stage musical. It became the most famous number in the film.
- Audience participation began spontaneously in the late 1970s, when fans started shouting lines at the screen and dressing as the characters.
Inspirations and References
The movie draws heavily from 1950s B-movies, science fiction serials, and classic horror films like Frankenstein and King Kong. It also reflects the glam rock and sexual liberation movements of the 1970s. Richard O’Brien said he wanted to write something that celebrated the weirdness he loved in movies and culture.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
An extended version of “Super Heroes” (a somber musical number following the deaths of Frank and his creation) was originally cut from U.S. theatrical releases but later restored. In this sequence, Brad and Janet wander among the smoking ruins of the castle, dazed and broken—a powerful symbolic ending of innocence lost.
Book Adaptations and Differences
The film was directly adapted from the stage musical The Rocky Horror Show (1973). The story and characters are largely identical, though the movie expands on the visual spectacle and atmosphere. Some songs were re-orchestrated, and a few stage gags were adjusted for cinematic timing.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- “Time Warp” dance sequence—perhaps the most iconic cult movie moment ever.
- Frank-N-Furter’s dramatic entrance singing “Sweet Transvestite.”
- The laboratory scene and Rocky’s creation.
- The dinner scene where everyone unknowingly eats Eddie.
- The “Floor Show” finale before Frank’s death.
Iconic Quotes
- “It’s just a jump to the left…”
- “Don’t dream it, be it.”
- “I see you shiver with antici… pation!”
- “I’m just a sweet transvestite from Transsexual, Transylvania.”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- The lips that open the film belong to Patricia Quinn, though the voice is Richard O’Brien’s.
- The criminologist’s office has a dinosaur skeleton—a subtle joke referencing King Kong and Jurassic Park-style science fiction themes.
- The castle’s interior mirrors scenes from classic Universal horror sets.
- The word “Transylvania” appears hidden in the background of several scenes.
Trivia
- The film initially flopped in theaters before becoming a hit at midnight showings.
- It has been playing continuously in cinemas somewhere in the world since 1975.
- Tim Curry’s performance inspired countless drag and stage interpretations.
- Meat Loaf had to learn “Hot Patootie” in one day before filming.
- The audience call-backs (“Asshole!” for Brad, “Slut!” for Janet) became fan traditions still used today.
Why Watch?
Because The Rocky Horror Picture Show isn’t just a movie—it’s an experience. It’s a wild blend of camp, chaos, and catchy tunes, and it’s also a celebration of individuality and freedom. Whether you’re a newcomer or a veteran with rice and toast in hand, there’s no other film that captures this kind of communal joy and rebellion.
Director’s Other Movies
- Shock Treatment (1981)
- The Night, the Prowler (1978)
Recommended Films for Fans
- Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001)
- Little Shop of Horrors (1986)
- Phantom of the Paradise (1974)
- Repo! The Genetic Opera (2008)
- The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994)
