So I’ve known about this film for a long time (since I was a kid, honestly), but I wasn’t able to watch it because the film is, like, ABOUT sex. Like, one could consider it straight-up Softcore Pornography in a way.
So as October comes to a close, I wanted to watch more and more Horror and Horror-Adjacent films. Despite being a comedy, this film has “Horror” in the name, so I thought it would be a fun choice. Also my internet was down that day and I already had a copy of the thing (go figure), so it was one of the few things I *could* watch that day. Upon putting it on I was hit with a film that can only be really described as “An Experience”.
It has an ultra-simple and nonsensical plot that mainly acts as a vehicle to show off a bunch of crossdressers and transgender peoples singing and dancing whilst reveling in their gender expression; all the while our two leads are shocked and appalled while slowly growing more and more interested and aroused at the sights around them. It’s a film that feels like a shocking combination of transphobia and sexual liberation in a way that felt almost paradoxical. Like, it feels like it’s meant to be a bad thing (our main villain’s main theme is literally called “Sweet Transvestite”, and he slowly convinces our leads [a pair of average 70’s protagonists named Brad Majors and Janet Weiss {possibly the most masculine and feminine names I could think of}] to let go of their sexual inhibitions and become more like him), but it also doesn’t DIRECTLY imply that that aspect is the bad part. The Transylvanians aren’t treated like villains BECAUSE of their sexual proclivities, rather it’s the things surrounding that that are villainous (Like Riff Raff and Magenta going out of their way to cause trouble, or Dr. Frank N. Furter reanimating corpses in the pursuit of a sexual partner). Like the original Frankenstein story, it’s the desecration of the sanctity of life that’s evil, not being born or expressing one’s identity. This makes the film a fascinating thought experiment, if somewhat accidental.
Alternatively, while a very fun ride with a bunch of great songs and visuals (and shockingly cerebral in some ways), it’s also unbelievably confusing. Like, I though watching the film instead of listening to the album would help clear things up for me; instead I remain just as confused about characters’ motivations in why they do what they do. Captions were on the whole time so I thought reading the lyrics would explain what was happening, but even then I remain shocked and confused about why certain things were happening. Those kinda strike against the film’s “quality”, but don’t make it any less fun to watch. Just kinda took me out of it around 30-40 minutes into the film.
One of the most fascinating things about the film is its the impact it’s left on American culture, specifically the LGBT+ Community. I look at all the Transylvianians in the background and am reminded of the people I follow on Bluesky. Never conforming to strict gender roles, and embracing the “self” in all the different forms it can take. They all look flashy and flamboyant, but also comfortable in their skin. It’s to the point where whether I look at social media or at LGBT+ representations in media (like One Piece), I can see near-direct inspiration that stems from this film. Despite being a commercial failure at the time, its cult following is so strong that it’s influence can be felt throughout pop culture.
Overall, while I wasn’t 100% on this film, I cannot deny the fun I had and the impact it left on the greater culture. It’s cheesy and campy in a way that makes my joy more ironic than sincere, but it’s just too darn fun to give a low score; so it earns a -8/10.