Richard O'Brien Critical Essay | Critical Essay by Bill Henkin

Critical Essay by Bill Henkin

Although the word "cult" reportedly never came up in the preparation or early marketing of Rocky Horror, the phenomenal following the movie has achieved can hardly be understood in any other terms. Partly, cult overtones developed because at least to some degree the film does speak to people who see themselves as outsiders to begin with…. (p. 36)

Of course, we're all Brads and Janets when we see Rocky Horror for the first time. But not when we walk out after the movie; perhaps that's why some of the best audience lines are directed at Brad and Janet. A lot of Rocky Horror fans do not see themselves as outsiders. They've been straight-laced, upstanding folk and feel it's time to step into another kind of world, another kind of life. Coming to see Rocky Horror is one simple, inexpensive, and safe way to take that step. It's a way to...
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