Critical response

Taken at face value, the film could be considered as ground-breaking for its frank (albeit comical) depiction of subjects such as transvestism, homosexuality, and cannibalism. In addition, the scripting and design displays the writers' knowledge of the history of cinema even beyond the horror and science fiction film genres; for example, there are references to films as diverse as What's Up, Doc?, Rope, and Triumph of the Will. Nevertheless, the film did not do well initially when released, perhaps because the critics did not know what to make of it or what genre it might be placed in.

Cult following

In spite of (or perhaps because of) its initial luke-warm critical and commercial reception, the film developed a cult following and it began playing at midnight at the Waverly Theater in New York City. People began shouting responses to the characters' statements on the screen. These mostly include melodramatic abuse of the characters or actors, vulgar sex jokes, puns, or pop culture references. Casts of fans dress up as the characters and act out the movie in front of the screen, usually with great accuracy. Other audience participation includes dancing the Time Warp, throwing toast, toilet paper, and rice at the appropriate points in the movie.  At the defunct Key Theater in Georgetown DC the theatre manager would ride his motorcycle down the aisle during Meat Loaf's/Eddie song, "Hot Patootie?" At the Tower Theater in Houston, people would celebrate Brad and Janet's wedding with 25-lb of rice. Audience members also use newspapers to cover their head, and use noise makers during the scene where Rocky is unveiled. The whole phenomenon got a boost in 1980, with the release of the movie Fame, in which some characters attend a screening of RHPS at the Waverly.

Plot outline

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

The story begins with a straitlaced couple, Brad Majors (Bostwick) and Janet Weiss (Sarandon), musically pledging their engagement after attending the wedding of their friends, the Hapschatts. They decide to pay a visit to Dr. Everett von Scott (Adams), their academic mentor and the man who introduced them to each other.

While driving to Dr. Scott's residence, they get a flat tire. With the spare also flat, they must walk back to a remote castle in the woods in hopes of finding a telephone. At the castle, Dr. Frank N. Furter (Curry), a gender-bending scientist from the planet Transsexual in the galaxy of Transylvania, is throwing a party to celebrate the creation of his new strongman playmate, Rocky Horror (Hinwood). Frank N. Furter immediately takes a sexual interest in both Janet and Brad which eventually leads the couple to question their loyalty to each other. To the despair of Dr. Furter, Rocky is more interested in Janet than him.

Dr. Scott's nephew Eddie (Meat Loaf), a motorcycle-riding rocker, has been captured in the castle by Dr. Furter, who murders him for his reckless behaviour. Eddie's former groupie and now Dr. Furter's assistant Columbia (Campbell) has conflicted feelings about both Eddie and the Doctor. The servants of the castle, Magenta (Quinn) and Riff-Raff (O'Brien) release Brad, Janet and Dr. Scott from the spell of the castle, kill the others to serve justice and return home to their planet of Transsexual. A criminologist (Gray) narrates the story and appears from time to time to provide commentary on the actions.