‘Strange Journey’: Celebrating the Queer Legacy of Rocky Horror with a New Documentary

The world of queer cinema is set to revisit one of its most iconic touchstones with the upcoming release of “Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror.” This highly anticipated documentary, directed by Linus O’Brien—the son of “Rocky Horror” creator Richard O’Brien—will hit cinemas in the United States on September 26, 2025, with a UK and Ireland release following on October 3, 2025, and availability on DVD, Blu-ray, and digital platforms shortly thereafter . The film made its world premiere at the 2025 South by Southwest Film & TV Festival earlier this year to critical acclaim .

“Strange Journey” charts the remarkable evolution of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” which began as a small stage production in London’s Royal Court Theatre before morphing into a cinematic cult phenomenon . Through interviews with original stars—Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick—and creator Richard O’Brien, alongside commentary from artists, critics, and contemporary LGBTQ+ icons like Trixie Mattel and Jack Black, the documentary explores how Rocky Horror’s transgressive themes and exuberant performances became a beacon for those outside the mainstream .

Director Linus O’Brien’s personal connection to the material gives the documentary a unique intimacy. The film’s production, supported by World of Wonder’s Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato, is itself a celebration of queer creative legacy .

Since its release in 1975, “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” has been more than just a film—it has served as a gathering point for misfits, dreamers, and members of the LGBTQ+ community who found acceptance and liberation in its midnight screenings and participatory rituals . Interviewees in “Strange Journey” reflect on how Rocky Horror created “a safe haven for those who ever felt different or marginalized,” with the documentary providing both a historical record and a celebration of the vibrant fan communities that continue to thrive worldwide .

The film does not shy away from acknowledging the discrimination faced by LGBTQ+ people over the decades, but instead centers the power of joy and resilience. As one reviewer noted, “Strange Journey” is “about the fans who made it what it is today and the strange and wonderful family the fandom has become… It reminds us to continue to stand proud just as we are, in whatever form we feel comfortable in” .

“Strange Journey” foregrounds the importance of queer representation in media, both in its subject matter and in its production. The documentary features not only archival material and interviews with stars, but also showcases the creative contributions of queer artists and producers, most notably through World of Wonder, the team behind “RuPaul’s Drag Race” .

Critical reception has highlighted the documentary’s affirming message. Zachary Levi of RogerEbert.com described the film as a “playground for its viewers to experience” much-needed spaces of “transgression and safety” in a time when such spaces are increasingly threatened . IndieWire’s Wilson Chapman emphasized that anyone who “lives, breathes, and bleeds Rocky Horror will find comfort” in the documentary’s celebration of the musical’s enduring legacy .

The documentary closes with a poignant reflection from Richard O’Brien, who acknowledges that “Rocky Horror” no longer belongs to its creators, but to its fans—a diverse, global community that has kept the show’s spirit alive for five decades . For LGBTQ+ viewers, “Strange Journey” is more than a history lesson: it is an invitation to remember, reclaim, and reimagine queer joy, resilience, and chosen family.

The film’s upcoming global release promises to reignite conversations about queer representation, the necessity of safe spaces, and the enduring impact of a “weird little show” that encouraged generations to dance—and live—with pride.