I recently rewatched Jim Sharman’s The Rocky Horror Picture Show, having loved the film as a young teen exploring their sexuality and gender identity for the first time. Now, at twenty years old, and more comfortable than ever in my queer identity as a transgender, non-binary and bisexual individual, the film has a deeper meaning about the acceptance of queerness that I didn’t fully understand as a child. Sure, the quirky sci-fi film initially caught my interest because of its catchy tunes and unique characters, but under the surface level lies a message about inclusion, authenticity and diversity that I believe is paramount for an understanding and considerate humanity in the future.

The film begins with heterosexual couple Brad and Janet, two lovers engrossed in heterosexual culture; they are at a wedding at which Brad is told “Hey, big fella, looks like it could be your turn next”. Brad observes that the bride is “a wonderful little cook” and that the groom is “in line for a promotion in a year or two”, and he then proceeds to propose to Janet, who is ecstatic. It seems that it has been engrained in them both that marriage is the ultimate goal and the signifier of success in a heteronormative society. After becoming engaged, the two venture on a road trip to visit their close friend Dr.Scott. However, their car breaks down in the middle of a storm and the pair head to a castle nearby for help. Little do they know that the castle is inhabited by Dr Frank-N-Furter, “a sweet transvestite from Transexual, Transylvania”. Oh, and he’s also an alien – accompanied by his alien servants, Riff Raff and Magenta as well as some other unconventional individuals.

They become trapped by Dr. Frank who is building a man, “with blonde hair and a tan”, to relieve his “tension” – if you catch my drift. He’s sort of like Victor Frankenstein if he accepted his homosexual desire instead of running away from it for the entirety of the novel (physically and metaphorically). Upon meeting, Dr. Frank sings his famous song, “Sweet Transvestite”: a true display of queer acceptance and of trans and non-binary identity. He sings:

“Don’t get strung up by the way I look, don’t judge a book by its cover. I’m not much of a man by the light of day, but by night I’m one hell of a lover”

Through these lyrics, Dr. Frank invites us to think about the way we judge people’s appearances. This especially rings true for transgender people and those who express their gender identity in unique ways. These people might struggle passing or fitting into a heteronormative society and are often quick to be judged. The trans experience is further explored later in the film when Dr. Frank sings:

“Whatever happened to Fay Wray? That delicate satin draped frame. As it clung to her thigh, how I started to cry…cause I wanted to be dressed just the same”

As a trans person, this line particularly tugs at my heart. It is symbolic of that feeling of gender dysphoria and envy; when you see another person and would give absolutely anything to look that way. In the same song, Dr. Frank sings, “Don’t dream it, be it” which in a way summarises the message of whole film; don’t let society stop you from being who you truly are; don’t let your authentic self be a dream but choose to live it instead.

Growing up as a queer person, you really come to learn that society is structured and centred around heterosexual and cisgender people, leaving you feeling othered and ostracised. Yet, in this case, society is subverted and heterosexual couple Brad and Janet are the Other; they are thrown into a situation where they are faced with a group of people who have an appearance, behaviour and lifestyle that is unknown to them. Though initially frightened by what they see, the experience teaches them both to also embrace their authentic selves. It is when they are at Dr. Frank’s castle that they learn who they truly are. They both experience a sexual awakening; both are seduced by Dr. Frank and give themselves “over to absolute pleasure”, revealing their bisexuality and expanding their confidence. This is truly demonstrated in the finale floor show in which Brad wears lingerie, heels and a full face of make-up while he sings “I feel sexy” and Janet, in similar attire, exclaims “I feel released […] My confidence has increased”. At this point we can see that they are completely transformed from the constrained individuals they were at the beginning of the film, and they are instead able to accept all facets of their identity, sexuality and gender expression.

The show is interrupted by Riff Raff and Magenta, who have decided they have had enough of Dr. Frank’s extreme lifestyle and wish to return home to Transylvania. Dr Frank is exposed as an alien by Dr.Scott and his “mission is a failure”; his queerness is ultimately unacceptable, and he is unable to fit into society. They kill Dr. Frank with a laser beam but let Brad, Janet and Dr. Scott go. The film ends leaving us with this quote:

“And crawling, on the planet’s face, some insects, called the human race. Lost in time, lost in space…and meaning”

So, what is the deeper meaning of this film? Well, if those final words are any indication, it’s that as a human race, we have failed to be empathetic and considerate to our fellow beings. We continue to live in a world where we allow people to be discriminated against simply for who they are – for who they love, for the colour of their skin, their birth sex, their gender identity; all things that people can’t control. The human race are detestable creatures, infesting the planet. Yet, the film invites us to think about how we treat each other, to not judge a book by its cover, to accept authenticity and to love one another despite differences.

Works Cited:

The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Directed by Jim Sharman, 20th Century Studios, 1975.