How The Rocky Horror Picture Show helped queer culture go mainstream

Released in 1975, The Rocky Horror Picture Show contributed significantly to the queer culture going mainstream. Although it was not very popular at the time of its release, it gradually became a favorite among movie buffs. It gave the queer community the representation they have been seeking in media. This partial horror film brought queer culture to the public and made it more recognizable.

What is the film about?

The movie’s story is about the lives of two ordinary people. They suddenly arrive at the house of a strange scientist. This scientist’s name is Frank N. Furter and is spotted in alien, outlandish clothes. He proceeds to create a person whom he can love. This movie is also widely acknowledged as a musical with songs reflecting a wide array of moods, from funny to thoughtful. It features innovative choreography and interesting characters.

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How The Rocky Horror Picture Show helped queer culture go mainstream

Many characters in this movie are queer, with notable gay, transgender, and bis*xual representation. They dress and act in a way that was not easily accepted or deemed as 'conventional' in 70s society. But this movie shows that all people can be different, and that’s okay. It gives queer people the courage to live their lives on their own terms.

Diving into the movie's impact

A still from The Rocky Horror Picture Show (Image Source: Amazon Prime Video)

At first, many people did not understand the movie. But a progressive section of the audience loved it and defended the script and the themes. Many even dressed up like the characters in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, chanted popular songs, and enjoyed the dialogue. In this way, it became a “cult” movie, meaning a group of people loved it very much and taught others to love it too.

The movie gave them the much-needed voice in the form of art.

Fueling a change in societal outlook

The Rocky Horror Picture Show upheld a message that not everyone has to be the same. The lives, clothes, and love of queer people are all normal. Gradually, people learn to accept all this. This movie highlights queer culture in the eyes of the common people.

Today, many years later, The Rocky Horror Picture Show is still popular and has become a place of pride for queer people.

From dressing in ways that defied gender stereotypes to expressing their struggles, the LGBTQ+ community related to the movie. The bold takes on sexuality and clapping back at society's hypocrisy on queer liberation appealed to the audience. Although it received criticism and backlash, The Rocky Horror Picture Show laid a notable foundation of queer representation in mainstream media.

Needless to say, The Rocky Horror Picture Show is not just a movie; it is a voice that has been ignored long enough.