From fringe theatre obscurity to global cult obsession, the new documentary Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror chronicles how a subversive little show took the world by storm. This vibrant and deeply personal production will have its Irish Premiere at GAZE International LGBTQIA Film Festival on Sunday, August 3, at 5:15pm in the Irish Film Institute, offering fans a rare chance to see it ahead of its UK and Irish cinematic release on October 3.
The GAZE audience will be among the first to experience Strange Journey, which has already been praised at international festivals for its heartfelt storytelling and joyous energy. The audience will also get the classic Rocky Horror experience, as attendees are encouraged to dress up as the characters as per tradition. There will also be a post-screening pageant hosted by none other than Cabaregg and An Evening With Wee Daniel‘s Aoife Sweeney O’Connor, followed by a panel hosted by festival director Greg Thorpe and special guests.
Directed by Linus O’Brien, son of Rocky Horror creator Richard O’Brien, the film dives deep into the origins, evolution, and legacy of The Rocky Horror Show and its legendary film adaptation, The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Featuring exclusive interviews with original cast members, including Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick, Patricia Quinn, and Nell Campbell, the film brings together many of the key voices behind the phenomenon, some of whom have rarely spoken about it on camera.
The GAZE screening is a special moment not just for fans of the cult classic but also for anyone who has ever felt the liberating power of self-expression. Beyond its iconic music and costumes, the documentary explores Rocky Horror’s lasting cultural influence, particularly in queer spaces and how its message of acceptance continues to resonate.
View this post on Instagram
Also featured are voices from a new generation of fans, including Jack Black and Drag Race icon Trixie Mattel, who share emotional and personal reflections on what Rocky Horror has meant to them. Director Linus O’Brien, who grew up immersed in the world of Rocky, brings a unique insight to the story. What began as a tribute became something more: a father-son exploration of legacy, identity, and the ways art can shape lives.
The idea for the film was born when Linus stumbled across a YouTube comment thread beneath a clip of ‘I’m Going Home’, one of the show’s most poignant songs. The raw emotion in the comments revealed just how profoundly Rocky Horror had touched people’s lives. That moment sparked the desire to tell the story in full, for the first time on screen.
With dazzling music, camp excess, and moving interviews, Strange Journey is set to be more than a documentary; it’s a celebration of the community Rocky Horror created, and a timely reminder that its radical message of liberation and inclusion remains as urgent as ever.
© 2025 GCN (Gay Community News). All rights reserved.
Support GCN
GCN is a free, vital resource for Ireland’s LGBTQ+ community since 1988.
GCN is a trading name of National LGBT Federation CLG, a registered charity - Charity Number: 20034580.
GCN relies on the generous support of the community and allies to sustain the crucial work that we do. Producing GCN is costly, and, in an industry which has been hugely impacted by rising costs, we need your support to help sustain and grow this vital resource.
Supporting GCN for as little as €1.99 per month will help us continue our work as Ireland’s free, independent LGBTQ+ media.
comments. Please sign in to comment.