by Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror – The definitive story of Rocky Horror featuring Richard O’Brien, Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, Nell Campbell, Trixie Mattel and Jack Black – In UK & Irish Cinemas 3rd October
Kaleidoscope Entertainment unveil the trailer for Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror. Fans will be able to experience the ultimate ode to all things Rocky Horror in cinemas across the UK & Ireland from 3rd October.
In this SXSW hit, the cult phenomenon of Rocky Horror is explored in depth like never before with an extraordinary cast of contributors.
From humble origins as a London fringe theatre play to its meteoric rise 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.
Adding an extra personal layer to this film, Strange Journey is directed by Linus O’Brien, son of the legendary Richard O’Brien, creator of the cult phenomenon.
The documentary features revelatory interviews from the film’s original cast including Tim Curry (Clue, It), Oscar winner Susan Sarandon (Thelma & Louise, Dead Man Walking), Barry Bostwick (Megaforce, Spin City), Patricia Quinn (Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life, The Lords of Salem), and Nell Campbell (Great Expectations, Shock Treatment).
Celebrity fans such as Jack Black (A Minecraft Movie, School of Rock) and RuPaul’s Drag Race winner Trixie Mattel also appear, sharing deeply personal reflections on Rocky Horror’s cultural impact.
Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror had its UK premiere at Sheffield DocFest, before heading to GAZE Film Festival where it won the Audience award.
DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT
“Several years ago, I stumbled upon the YouTube page for the song I’m Going Home, one of the highlights from The Rocky Horror Picture Show. As I read through the comments, I was overcome with emotion—each person shared their personal story and the deep place the song held in their heart. While Rocky Horror had always been a major part of my life and I was well aware of its societal impact, this was the first time I truly grasped the enormity of its influence on individual lives. That realisation became the genesis of this film. I understood what a meaningful and layered story this was—Rocky’s rise, fall, and rise again; its influence on music, cinema, and pop culture; the unique cult phenomenon it fostered and the safe space it created for all kinds of people; and the unfortunate reality that, in today’s political climate, Rocky is as relevant as ever. To top it off, my own father, Richard O’Brien, was the one who created Rocky, playing a part in so many people’s lives. I knew this story needed to be told—and that it had never been explored in depth as a documentary feature.
Initially, I didn’t intend to direct the film myself. My plan was to find the right partners and help bring it to life. However, when I brought the project to my old friend Avner Shiloah, who then introduced me to Garret Price and Adam Gibbs of Margot Station, we all began to realise this was also a father/son story. Rocky was created around the time I was born, and I grew up in its world—even becoming the youngest person to see the original stage production in London at the age of four. The three of them made the case that I was the right person to tell this story, and together, we embarked on the journey of making this documentary.
I had to convince my dad that my partners and I would tell Rocky’s story in a way that did it justice. Our first step was flying to New Zealand to conduct our main interview with him. Even though Rocky is in my blood and I’d heard so many stories over the years, this was a different experience—I was able to spend several days digging deeper with him and touching on subjects he hadn’t always been comfortable discussing. From there, we conducted interviews in London, New York, Los Angeles, and Australia. Reconnecting with the cast and crew I had grown up around was incredibly rewarding. Meeting up with Nell, Barry, Susan, Tim, Pat, Jim, and Lou was especially meaningful—they knew me as a baby, and for most of them, the last time they saw me, I was probably eight years old.
Speaking with fans and people whose lives were deeply affected by the film was both eye-opening and humbling. Rocky Horror is unique in the way it created communities and spaces for people to express themselves without judgment—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.
As 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.
I’m grateful to all those who participated, as well as the incredible crews who worked on the film, and I’m honoured to have been entrusted with telling this story. We hope the audience enjoys this joyful and life-affirming celebration of a remarkable cultural touchstone—filled with amazing music, campy madness, tears, and laughter.”
-Director, Linus O’Brien
Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror
- Distributor: Kaleidoscope Entertainment
- UK Theatrical Date: 3rd October
- Home Entertainment: On DVD, Blu-ray & Digital 20th October
- Short Synopsis: A London theatre play evolves into a groundbreaking cult phenomenon, featuring iconic songs and performances that celebrate individuality. The legacy lives on through midnight screenings and a devoted following that spans generations.
- Director: Linus O’Brien
- Cast: Richard O’Brien, Tim Curry, Lou Adler, Susan Sarandon, Jack Black, Barry Bostwick, Richard Hartley, Jim Sharman, Trixie Mattel, Nell Campbell
- Run Time: 89 Minutes
Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror will be in UK & Irish Cinemas from 3rd October. Available on DVD, Blu-ray & Digital from 20th October
