[FrightFest 2025]: Sane Inside Sanity: The Phenomenon of Rocky Horror

With a powerful combination of glam-rock ear-worm songs and b-movie science fiction aesthetic, The Rocky Horror Show burst forth from its humble beginnings on a small theatre stage in London, and became a cult movement following its movie adaptation, which became a midnight movie hit. Sane Inside Sanity: The Phenomenon of Rocky Horror seeks to charter the shows’ rise from the brain of writer and creator Richard O’Brien, to its current status as one of the world’s most beloved musicals. 

Featuring talking heads from original cast members both from the stage production and film adaptation including Barry Bostwick and Nell Campbell, as well as behind-the-scenes insights from producers, Sane Inside Sanity: The Phenomenon of Rocky Horror is an insightful journey from the beginning of its creation to how the show has now become a movement which united a whole universe of people looking to find their tribe through an out and proud queer musical. The highlight of the documentary is truly the joy that is showcased from those who were the original attendees of the midnight showings, who then went on to found the fan club, and then the development of what we now know as the experience of The Rocky Horror Picture Show screenings which includes screaming replies and throwing toast.

Sane Inside Sanity: The Phenomenon of Rocky Horror is a good entry point documentary for those new to The Rocky Horror Show, but unfortunately does not reveal anything new for those already well aware or a fan of the show or film. 

3 Screams out of 5