Sometimes, watching a horror movie (or a horror adjacent one, such as Rocky Horror) is all about the communal experience at the theater. I'll never forget the collective gasp at a certain scene in The Witch involving a bird, or the tension throughout the theater during the opening scenes of A Quiet Place - on occasion, being with others elevates the moviegoing experience in ways that watching at home just cannot compare to.
Which is why, for The Rocky Horror Picture Show, a friend and I went to a live shadow-cast performance in San Antonio for the experience. As an added bonus, Patricia Quinn - who plays Magenta in the film - was also there and talked a bit about the making of the film. And this, really, is what watching this movie is about - costumes everywhere, toast thrown into the air, shouts of 'Asshole!' and 'Slut!' scattered through the viewing. If you are watching this quietly at home, you are missing out on what made this movie an essential watch every October for its many fans.
Indeed, part of the joy even for those that have been to multiple shadow-casts is seeing how different people partake in the movie. From grand introductions of 'Alfalfa's shadow' to inserted words into the lyrics of the various musical numbers - it's rare that longtime fans don't get to experience something new every time.
This also makes the movie critic-proof. I'm not really even trying to discuss the value of the sets, or the performances, or even the songs in any critical sense because none of it matters when discussing this movie. You either get it, or you don't. The most I would say is that without Tim Curry, I don't think the cult status of this movie would have ever reached the heights it has today.
Which is why I recommend that anyone watching this for the first time, do so with friends. I can understand not going to a shadow-cast, but any theatrical experience of it would be suggested. And make sure that at least one of those watching with you has experienced this movie before, to help along with the rituals and the fun.
8 out of 10, factoring in the audience.
Now let's do the Time Warp again!
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