By Riley Dauber
Opinion Editor
When Oct. rolls around, many wonder how they will celebrate the spooky season. Costume plans are made, and movie viewings are prepared. But what movie will be shown? Some fans lean towards horror classics like “Scream” and “Halloween,” while others like family-friendly flicks like “Hocus Pocus.”
However, one film has stood the test of time since its 1975 release date, and provided an accepting community through its yearly showings: “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.”
The film tells the story of Brad and Janet, a straight-laced couple who stop at a mansion in the middle of the night following a flat tire. The mansion is owned by Frank-N-Furter – played expertly and iconically by Tim Curry – a self-described “sweet transvestite” who is making a man named Rocky, a la “Frankenstein.”
“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” is a staple of the queer community thanks to the film’s representation. Not only does Frank-N-Furter wear a feminine outfit throughout the film, but he is also attracted to both Janet and Brad.
The plot heavily relies on the sex lives of the characters and their fluidity. Even the conservative Brad and Janet get to hook up with Frank-N-Furter and Rocky, respectively.
However, because of its release date, some viewers wonder if the film has aged well.
According to An Injustice Magazine, “As LGBTQ+ representation has increased, people have started to criticize this movie’s more problematic elements. Dr. Frank-N-Furter has started to be seen less as a figure of sexual awakening and exploration. Instead, he falls more into a larger trope of trans ‘deviancy’ that ties directly into decades of discrimination on the Silver Screen and off.”
The horror genre tends to villainize transgender characters. Think Buffalo Bill in “Silence of the Lambs” and Angela Baker in “Sleepaway Camp,” two trans characters who are both villainized and poorly written. There is little nuance in their portrayals, and the negative representation may convince audience members that all transgender people are “evil.”
However, when it comes to “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” the character of Frank-N-Furter can be viewed in both a positive and negative light.
According to An Injustice Magazine, “Dr. Frank-N-Furter’s unabashed confidence was, at the time, a rare type of representation for a trans character in mass media. Their commanding presence made them a fixture in pop culture that many people have since wanted to replicate.”
The film also examines themes of self-discovery, according to Incluvie.
“The film isn’t just Frank-N-Furter stabbing a high heel into heteronormative society and loudly shouting that the queer community is here to stay. It has a lot more to say. ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’ delves into topics like self-discovery and self-actualization with the sappy lead characters, Brad and Janet,” reviewer Jimmy J. wrote for Incluvie.
Even if the queer representation in “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” has not aged well, the film showings provide a strong and supportive community for fans.
Each Oct., the film is screened in theaters across the country. Showings of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” are unforgettable experiences. Attendees are encouraged to dress up for the event, either dressing like the characters or wearing corsets and fishnets. Anything sexy or revealing is welcome.
Another staple of the viewings is throwing objects at the screen. They throw rice during the wedding at the beginning of the film, and slices of bread are thrown when Frank-N-Furter makes a toast at dinner. Audience members also call out lines or funny jokes throughout the film. It is a welcoming ritual, and celebrates the campy musical for all its worth.
“‘Rocky Horror’ doesn’t work without audience participation. Throughout the movie, the crowd will shout these callback phrases…filling in each other’s gaps is part of the experience,” Adria Carpenter wrote in a Little Village article.
By welcoming newcomers – usually labeled as “virgins” – the viewings help create a welcoming and accepting environment for members of the LGBTQ+ community. Pair the audience participation and dress-up contests with the fun musical numbers and queer representation, and “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” is a memorable Halloween tradition that everyone should experience once in their life.
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
Photo Caption: Viewings of the 1975 cult classic “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” feature costume contests, audience participation, and acting out specific scenes in the film.