This blog post explores why we laugh, feel embarrassed, and simultaneously experience a sense of liberation while watching The Rocky Horror Picture Show—a film that seems bizarre and tacky yet strangely captivating.
A Bizarre and Absurd Film
“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” is truly a bizarre and utterly absurd film. Watching it, I found it so strange that I lost count of how many times I shared a laugh with my friend after catching each other’s eye. My friend remarked, “Where on earth do you find these peculiar films, Professor…?” My thoughts weren’t much different. What on earth was I supposed to feel watching this film? At first, I couldn’t even understand why it had become a hit.
The Background Behind the Emergence of Such Films
― Films Reflect the Society of Their Time
Films always mirror the social landscape of their era. In “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” you’ll find almost none of what we commonly call society’s ethics, morals, or manners. I think of film as a medium that substitutes for humanity’s suppressed instincts. That’s why those who love The Rocky Horror Picture Show might feel a kind of liberation and ecstasy through this film, which utterly disregards the reality of being trapped within society, even if only for a moment, and shatters all ethics and morals. Watching a film to relieve stress can also be understood within that context, can’t it?
What is a cult film?
While researching this film online, I frequently encountered the term “cult film.” I wondered what exactly a cult film is that it gets mentioned so repeatedly. To define a cult film in a single phrase, it is a “film fanatically adored by a small group.” This expression originates from the Latin word “cultus,” meaning worship, signifying a film that receives enthusiastic support from a specific minority group, regardless of mainstream public opinion.
Influenced by the counterculture of the 1960s, some filmmakers produced low-budget films that bypassed the mainstream commercial distribution channels. These films began screening primarily in small theaters near college campuses. During this process, audiences developed strong attachments and fervent enthusiasm for specific films, marking the starting point of cult film culture.
Films that became objects of worship often contained antisocial themes and frequently depicted brutal or explicit scenes without reservation. These characteristics often led to cult films being stereotyped as ‘weird movies’. And the film most frequently cited as a quintessential example of a cult film is none other than The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Review of The Rocky Horror Picture Show
When I searched for this film online, contrary to my expectations, I found numerous articles and several dedicated websites. Frankly, I was quite surprised. As mentioned earlier, I had always perceived this film as a cheap, low-budget production. The fact that so many people wrote about it and even maintained dedicated websites was hard to believe.
I visited a few of these articles and sites myself. The websites themselves were incredibly unique, mirroring the film’s atmosphere. The entrance message alone read something like “Enter at your own risk,” giving the impression that the space perfectly captured the film’s spirit.
What surprised me most was that, despite being produced quite a long time ago, this film still has performances and screenings happening worldwide. Indeed, regular screenings and stage performances are still held in many countries today, and it has even been introduced in Korea in a performance format. While it’s often known as a late-night flick in cheap, third-rate movie theaters, it’s interesting that it’s relatively hard to access in Korea but easier to find overseas. At one point, Hong Rok-gi played the role of Dr. Frank Futter in a domestic performance, and personally, I thought he suited the part quite well. Browsing related sites, I realized this film transcends being merely bizarre; it has deep history and a devoted, loyal fanbase.
The film that sucked me into its world: 「The Rocky Horror Picture Show」
Frankly, this was my first encounter with such an unusual film, so initially, it left a strong impression of being childish and tacky. Yet, at some point, it possessed a power that naturally drew me into its world. My honest assessment is that it’s a film you can watch without any burden. In fact, it might even be said to be a film that makes the audience feel embarrassed, precisely because it reveals the true nature of humans with excessive honesty and drama.
People these days seem overly bound by morality, etiquette, and formality, living hypocritically. Within such a society, this film clearly presents a counterargument. Perhaps that’s why it leaves you with a strangely satisfying feeling after watching. So what if it’s a bit crude and juvenile? We only live once anyway, and living excessively pretentiously is quite a burden, isn’t it? I suddenly wondered: If you showed this film to adults in their middle age or older, what kind of reaction would you get? I even felt like trying it once. Most likely, the majority wouldn’t understand it at all. They probably wouldn’t understand the younger generation. They might say that instead of watching such films and getting excited, they should read one more book or earn money. They’d likely find it incomprehensible why anyone would make such a cheap film or get so enthusiastic about it.
Personally, I don’t like French films. Honestly, it’s not just me; many people my age also find French films difficult or don’t particularly prefer them. France is famous for its art films, but when you actually watch them, they’re often hard to find enjoyable. In film-related classes, French art films frequently come up. The explanations about what the film means or what the symbols represent are always excellent. But when you actually watch the film yourself, disappointment is often significant. Many films aren’t even easy to understand the intended meaning.
Isn’t a movie ultimately something you just watch and enjoy? Social life itself is already exhausting enough; I question whether we must analyze every film’s meaning. Sometimes we need a movie that lets us escape daily life without a care and enjoy ourselves freely. In that sense, I believe The Rocky Horror Picture Show is a film that helps audiences experience that freedom, even if just for a moment. I encourage you to watch this film and enjoy it to the fullest for a day, without worrying about others’ opinions.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show is a sweet homage to classic sci-fi films and a comedy musical that takes corny, tacky material and turns it into something exciting and fun. At the same time, it’s a legendary cult film, a hodgepodge that mocks and sneers at old, musty morals, manners, and formality from behind, essentially the originator of third-rate late-night movie theater culture.
