Get ready to do the “Time Warp” like never before! Kaleidoscope Entertainment has confirmed that Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror is set for a UK and Irish release. And we’ve got an exclusive first look at the new artwork!
This SXSW hit is poised to celebrate its UK Premiere at Sheffield DocFest on June 19th. Next, it will screen at the SCI-FI-LONDON Film Festival on June 22nd. Irish fans can catch its premiere at GAZE on August 3rd. Additional previews and festival screenings will be announced soon. Fans across the UK & Ireland will be able to see it in cinemas starting October 3rd!
An Unprecedented Deep Dive into a Cult Phenomenon
Strange Journey promises to explore the cult phenomenon of The Rocky Horror Picture Show in depth, like never before, featuring an extraordinary cast of contributors. From its 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.
The documentary provides intimate access to its creator, Richard O’Brien, as well as other notable figures, including Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, and Lou Adler. It delves into its groundbreaking and transgressive themes, iconic performances, and the epic songs that took over popular culture.
Adding an extra personal layer to this film is that Linus O’Brien, the son of the legendary Richard O’Brien himself, directed it!
Star-Studded Revelations and Fan Reflections
The documentary features revelatory interviews from the film’s original cast, including:
The film features stars of the iconic movie. That includes Tim Curry, Oscar winner Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick, Patricia Quinn, and Nell Campbell.
But it’s not just the original cast reflecting on the phenomenon. Jack Black (School of Rock) and RuPaul’s Drag Race’s Trixie Mattel also share reflections on the film’s profound cultural impact and what it means to them.
Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror will begin its UK Festival run on June 19th at Sheffield DocFest, with a special Q&A featuring director Linus O’Brien and original contributors Richard Hartley and Patricia Quinn, moderated by Carol Nahra. Then, get ready for its grand cinematic release in UK & Irish Cinemas from October 3rd! Hopefully, a US release will follow soon.
Director Linus O’Brien shares his personal connection and inspiration for the film:
“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.”
He continues, “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.”
Get ready to revisit the magic, the madness, and the enduring legacy of Rocky Horror with Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror.
