Campy Movies to Watch if You Love Rocky Horror Picture Show
Time warp into these five peculiar films
Halloween matinees and cult obsession has followed the film ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW (1975) for decades now. Groundbreaking in its depiction of sexuality and unforgettable acting, ROCKY HORROR is an unapologetically strange and at times devastatingly tragic tale. The film is a mod-podge of science fiction, catchy musical numbers, sexy drama, and quirky comedy riddled with jealous murderous rage. Whatever about ROCKY HORROR that keeps you crawling back to watch it time and time again, one of these movies should help satiate your cravings. So, come up to the lab and see what's on the slab.
SHOCK TREATMENT (1981)
SHOCK TREATMENT, the unofficial sequel to ROCKY HORROR, is anything short of shocking. This insane twist of a movie looks at many of the same characters in the universe of ROCKY HORROR (although almost all with different actors) and throws them into a sexy turmoil of mad science experiments. Not to mention a little sadism, masochism, and brain rewiring to tie the whole ordeal together. Loved Frank n Furter's demented lab trials? SHOCK TREATMENT might be just the thing to stimulate the nerves.
Stream SHOCK TREATMENT on YouTube here.
SOMETIMES AUNT MARTHA DOES DREADFUL THINGS (1971)
When lovers Paul (Abe Zwick) and Stanley (Wayne Crawford) commit a robbery that goes awry, the two flee to Florida and plan a disguise. Paul agrees to dress in drag as Stanley's "Aunt Martha" while Stanley will change his appearance and act as nephew. Paul and Stanley struggle to maintain intimacy in their relationship as it is harder than ever to show affection and spend time together in their new disguises. Stanley continually doubts his sexuality and spends most of his time getting high and bringing girls home, although he is never able to perform. For these reasons, Paul feels that sometimes Aunt Martha must do dreadful things to keep up their appearances and hide their identities. Jealously, murderous tendencies and love affairs go hand in hand in ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW and this quirky film. SOMETIMES AUNT MARTHA DOES DREADFUL THINGS will surely have you shivering with anticipation.
Stream SOMETIMES AUNT MARTHA DOES DREADFUL THINGS on Vudu here.
PHANTOM OF THE PARADISE (1974)
If you can't stop going back to the songs in ROCKY HORROR, this incredible musical drama has more than enough to fill your lungs. PHANTOM OF THE PARADISE is a tragic demented tale surrounding a corrupted music label. The head of the music label Swan (Paul Williams), discovers an incredible composer Winslow (William Finley) and steals his music to transform it to fit the new sexy Rock n Roll scene. Winslow eventually traces Swan down only to be trapped and forced to make music by Swan, although he eventually takes his revenge against the devilish man. Undoubtedly, PHANTOM OF THE PARADISE resonates incredibly within the same character realms as ROCKY HORROR, the film sometimes feels like a prequel. Bless my soul, you'll really love this rock n roll drama!
Stream PHANTOM OF THE PARADISE on Prime Video here.
EARTH GIRLS ARE EASY (1988)
Frank n Furter and the other Transylvanians are undeniably sexy alien invaders of the most unsuspecting kind. EARTH GIRLS ARE EASY surrounds three aliens Mac (Jeff Goldblum), Wiploc (Jim Carrey), and Zeebo (Damon Wayans), that crash land after becoming excited by the sexy images of women they were streaming from Earth. The aliens land in Valerie's (Geena Davis) backyard to her shock and initial horror. Valerie does her best to try to take care of the alien men until they can fix their ship by giving them makeovers to look human, feeding them, and showing them human life. The aliens are so dreamy when they look human that Valerie and others cant help crushing on them. The subsequent language and cultural barriers create an immense amount of humor in this eccentric film. The aliens just need a little understanding, as Brad thoughtfully says in ROCKY HORROR "They're probably foreigners way different than our own".
Stream EARTH GIRLS ARE EASY on HBO Max here.
LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (1986)
Call the cops! LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS is compromised of all your favorite parts of ROCKY HORROR. LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS is filled with musical numbers, a murderous alien plant species, and a naïve couple that won't fail to keep your attention. Seymour (Rick Moranis) wants nothing more than to live the white suburban dream with his love Audrey (Ellen Green), but both encounter speed bumps getting there. Seymour is forced commit crimes in order to please his other Audrey (Audrey II, the name of the alien plant) and Audrey struggles to get away from an abusive relationship. The film seems like an alternative universe for Brad and Janet; where freedom lies behind a white picket fence instead of sexual release. You simply wont be able to help to smell the flowers in this simply bizarre film.
Stream LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS on HBO Max here.
About the Creator
Lilyann Loraye
I am a freelance writer and cinephile dedicated to film oddities and cult classics.
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