Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror

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Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror

Sep 2025

1h 29m

Documentary

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31 Reviews

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Fewer than 50 Ratings

From humble origins as a London fringe theater play to its meteoric rise, fall and resurrection as the biggest cult film of all time, this is the definitive story of the Rocky Horror Show. With intimate access to its creator Richard O'Brien and other major players such as Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon and Lou Adler, the documentary explores what makes the play and film so singular: Its groundbreaking and transgressive themes, iconic performances and epic songs that took over popular culture. The cult phenomenon that sprung around it is unparalleled, and created not only the midnight screenings which continue to this day, but also a safe haven for those who ever felt different or marginalized.

Richard Whittaker

Austin Chronicle

Oct 3

On the surface, it’s a straightforward history of the show’s growth spurts on the way to becoming a cultural juggernaut. "Strange Journey" charmingly recounts how it emerged.

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Daniel Fienberg

The Hollywood Reporter

Oct 3

The opportunity here is so unique and perhaps Linus O’Brien could have done a little bit more with it... But this is a tidy and sincerely admiring overview.

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Wilson Chapman

IndieWire

Oct 3

B-

Anyone who lives, breathes, and bleeds “Rocky Horror” will find comfort in “Strange Journey” and its celebration of the musical’s enduring legacy. Anybody else won’t find much to grab onto.

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Payton McCarty-Simas

Film Inquiry

Nov 26

Strange Journey wears its heart on its sleeve as it relates earnest messages of love and acceptance, community and found family, all of which are more than earned and incredibly well taken in this context.

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Louisa Moore

Screen Zealots

Oct 14

This documentary captures the celebratory, subversive, and liberating spirit of a cult classic. As a fan of "Rocky Horror," I reminisced, learned a few new things, and walked away with an even greater appreciation for this wonderfully weird phenomenon.

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Stephanie Malone

Morbidly Beautiful

Oct 12

5/5

More than a doc, it's a glitter-soaked hymn to queer joy, creative rebellion, and community survival. A must-see for longtime devotees and a perfect initiation for the uninitiated. Like the show itself, it promises you’ll never leave quite the same.

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Michele

Oct 27

I didn't get to see strange journey. I went to the quad to see this and found out it was not playing at 9:45. It was playing 7:15. So I missed it. And it was never updated. Not sure where the communication broke down. I never got to see this documentary.

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Alissa

Oct 10

Really answered a lot of questions Other than Meatloaf (RIP), nice to see original cast and production staff!

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Stephen

Oct 2

Even if one is not particularly familiar with the film and its history, this a great introduction and a very funny, even quite touching heartfelt love letter to the film by its creator(s), fans and performers in the original show and film. For the long-time fans, it's beyond incredible.

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Gregory

Sep 30

A fantastic documentary. If you are a theater kid, cinephile, or a cultural historian of any kind, this movie will phenomenal insight into the creation of this life changing and affirming film.

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Brenda B

Sep 26

Released in time for the 50th anniversary of the movie. New and older fans will enjoy the history of this play, then film, with interviews, photos, and videos not seen before. Quite a journey.

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DodonaWind

Sep 26

Absolutely amazing! It was fantastic to see all of the people involved in the show and the movie talking about it, reminiscing about it and sharing what made the project so special to each of them. It was also amazing to see just how far of a reach the film really has had across humanity over the last 50 years.

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Linus O'Brien

Director

Richard O'Brien

Self

Tim Curry

Self

Lou Adler

Self

Susan Sarandon

Self

Barry Bostwick

Self

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Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

From humble origins as a London fringe theater play to its meteoric rise, fall and resurrection as the biggest cult film of all time, this is the definitive story of the Rocky Horror Show. With intimate access to its creator Richard O'Brien and other major players such as Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon and Lou Adler, the documentary explores what makes the play and film so singular: Its groundbreaking and transgressive themes, iconic performances and epic songs that took over popular culture. The cult phenomenon that sprung around it is unparalleled, and created not only the midnight screenings which continue to this day, but also a safe haven for those who ever felt different or marginalized.

Director: Linus O'Brien
Producer: Adam Gibbs, Linus O'Brien, Garret Price, Avner Shiloah
Screenwriter: Avner Shiloah, Avner Shiloah
Production Co: Margot Station
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 26, 2025, Limited
Runtime: 1h 29m