In this blog post, we’ll explore ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’ and the appeal and background of cult films.
Introduction — A Bizarre and Absurd Movie
The Rocky Horror Picture Show is a truly bizarre and utterly absurd movie. Throughout the film, my friend and I kept exchanging glances at the strange scenes and bursting into laughter several times; my friend was amazed, asking, “How did you even find a movie like this?”
At first, I didn’t quite understand why this movie was a hit or what we were supposed to learn from it in class. When I actually watched it, it looked like a cheap, third-rate movie, and I was left with a strong impression that it was simply childish and tacky.
Main Body
The Background Behind the Emergence of Such a Movie It is often said that movies reflect the society of their time. In this film, it’s hard to find traditional ethics, morals, or etiquette. I view movies as a form of instinctive release. I believe that people who want to escape the reality of being trapped in society derive pleasure from watching movies like ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’. They relieve stress and momentarily forget the oppression of daily life through scenes that intentionally subvert ethics and norms.
What is a cult film? Simply put, a cult film refers to a movie that is fervently adored by a small group of people. Derived from the English word “cults,” this term describes works that receive strong support from specific groups, regardless of general critical reception. Low-budget films influenced by the counterculture of the 1960s—which failed to enter mainstream commercial distribution channels and were instead screened in small theaters centered around college campuses—gave rise to fanatical fan bases for certain titles. Since these cult films often explicitly depict content that defies social norms or contains graphic violence, they sometimes give people the preconception that they are “weird movies.” ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’ is often cited as a prime example of such a cult film.
Review of ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’ When I searched for this movie online, I was surprised to find far more articles and websites than I had expected. As I mentioned earlier, it looked like a low-budget film, so I was surprised to find that so many people are devoted to it. The related websites also captured the film’s atmosphere well, using unique designs and catchphrases. For example, one fan site featured a message like “Enter at your own risk,” which perfectly reflected the film’s playful and irreverent spirit.
What’s even more surprising is that, even now, long after its release, this film continues to be screened worldwide in a theatrical performance format. Performances are held from time to time in Korea as well, and late-night screenings and live performances are common overseas. There have even been instances where Korean actors have taken on the lead roles and pulled them off brilliantly. Seeing all this gave me the impression that this film isn’t just a cheap production, but a work with a deep history and a passionate fan base.
Conclusion
To be honest, when I first watched ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’, I was strongly struck by how childish and tacky it seemed, but at the same time, it drew me right into the film. My take is that it’s a movie you can enjoy without any pressure. While it exaggerates humanity’s primal nature—sometimes to the point of embarrassment—there are moments when even that embarrassment transforms into a sense of liberation.
These days, people often live according to moral codes, etiquette, and social conventions, acting in a hypocritical manner. In such a society, this film presents a kind of counterargument. It conveys the message that, instead of living with an overly rigid and forced demeanor, it’s okay to occasionally let yourself go and embrace the absurd and the vulgar. Middle-aged and older people, or conservative adults, are likely to fail to understand a work like this. They might say, “You should be reading more books during that time” or “You should be earning money.”
I don’t like French art films. It’s not just me—people my age generally find French films boring. In class, we often spend a long time explaining the meaning and intent behind these films, but when we actually watch them, they often fall short of our expectations. I think sometimes movies are meant to be enjoyed simply for the sake of enjoyment, without necessarily searching for a deeper meaning. Social life is already complicated and exhausting enough; I think that when watching a movie, at least, it’s okay to step away from analysis and interpretation and simply enjoy it.
In that sense, ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’ helps audiences enjoy themselves to the fullest without worrying about what others think. It’s okay to set aside pretense and social norms for a day, watch this movie, and laugh and make a racket.
“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” is a sweet homage to classic sci-fi films, a comedy musical that presents cheesy and tacky material in an exciting and lively way, and at the same time, a legendary cult classic—a hodgepodge of a third-rate late-night movie—that sarcastically mocks musty morals and etiquette from behind the scenes.
