From humble origins as a London fringe theatre play to its meteoric rise, fall and resurrection as the biggest cult film of all time, this is the definitive story of the Rocky Horror Show. With intimate access to its creator Richard O’Brien and other major players such as Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, and Lou Adler, the film explores what makes the play and film so singular.

Its groundbreaking and transgressive themes, iconic performances and epic songs took over popular culture. The cult phenomenon that sprung around it is unparalleled, and created not only the midnight screenings which continue to this day, but also a safe haven for those who ever felt different or marginalised.

From the get-go, Strange Journey pulls you into an intoxicating swirl of punk theatre, campy cinema, and personal history. Acting as a kind of live-action time capsule, Linus O’Brien unspools the incredible journey of his father’s life and legacy, capturing how The Rocky Horror Show went from an offbeat stage experiment in a small London theatre to a global phenomenon with an eternal midnight heartbeat. It’s wild. It’s weird. And it’s downright wonderful.

Packed with never-before-seen footage and deeply personal interviews, Strange Journey is a heady cocktail of archival gold and raw emotional resonance. We hear directly from Richard O’Brien himself—still sharp, eccentric and heartfelt as ever—as he opens the vault of memory and recounts the lightning bolt of inspiration that birthed Rocky Horror. Joined by beloved cast members Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick, and the visionary director Jim Sharman, the documentary brings together the original dreamers who helped give life to a cultural monster that refused to die. And we are so here for it.

The documentary explores the many facets of O’Brien’s creative DNA: actor, singer, composer, writer, producer, and unapologetic radical. From the very first strum of his guitar to the unrelenting drive to push the boundaries of taste and convention, O’Brien’s work shines as a beacon for anyone who’s ever felt like an outsider. His radical, gender-bending, genre-breaking energy pulsates through the film, as we witness how The Rocky Horror Show exploded onto the stage in a glorious mess of glitter, fishnets, and rebellious rock ‘n’ roll spirit.

But what makes Strange Journey truly exceptional is its emotional core. Linus O’Brien doesn’t just capture the story of a legendary show: he captures the soul of a father. Through interviews and behind-the-scenes moments, there’s a profound tenderness that bleeds through the celluloid. Watching Richard O’Brien reflect on his journey with his son by his side is immensely moving. And when the documentary’s climax arrives with O’Brien near tears as he acknowledges the legacy his work has had on generations of fans, the emotional impact is staggering.

Strange Journey also takes time to shine a well-deserved spotlight on the fans. From 1970s theatre kids and queer punks to modern-day Gen Z TikTokers, the film explores how Rocky Horror became a sanctuary, a place where outsiders became insiders, and self-expression reigned supreme. It’s a beautiful testament to the show’s enduring impact on LGBTQ+ communities and all those who found joy, identity, and belonging in its wild world. Linus O’Brien captures this passion with sincerity and energy, showing that this is more than a musical; it’s a movement.

By the time the final credits roll, Strange Journey leaves its mark not just as a stellar documentary but as a legacy piece. It’s a son’s love letter to his father. It’s a celebration of radical art. It’s a groovy, glitter-soaked reminder that being different isn’t just okay, it’s glorious.

So lace up those corsets, do the Time Warp again, and prepare to be touched in ways you didn’t expect. Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror is a joyous, heartfelt, and utterly essential experience that proves creativity can change the world — one freaky beat at a time.

Image: DocEdge

The post DocEdge Film Festival 2025 – ‘Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror’ – Review appeared first on SpicyPulp.

In this intimate film, three Deaf couples share their remarkable love stories through Irish Sign Language: a decades-long forbidden romance across a religious divide, an LGBTQI+ couple navigating parenthood with Deaf and hearing children, and a Deaf boxer and his hearing partner facing a life-altering choice.

Acclaimed Irish documentarian Garry Keane (Gaza, The Game) steps into deeply personal territory with A Quiet Love, which invites audiences into the private, resilient, and deeply human lives of three deaf couples across Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, and the UK. What unfolds is an intimate and soul-stirring meditation on love, not as a dramatic gesture, but as a shared language that transcends sound, and speaks through action, eye contact, devotion, and fierce emotional honesty.

Told entirely through Irish Sign Language (ISL) with no spoken dialogue, A Quiet Love is an immersive, sensory experience, and it’s unlike anything you’ve seen before. The absence of speech draws you in, forcing a deeper kind of listening. Your eyes become your ears. Your heart becomes the translator. This isn’t just a documentary — it’s a shared experience of empathy.

Keane follows three couples at very different stages of life, and their stories are woven together with grace and care. There’s John and Agnes, an older couple whose enduring bond survived the trauma of The Troubles. Their scenes are rich with history and pain, but also filled with gentle humour and a quiet intimacy that can only be found in a love forged in hardship. Then there’s Kathy and Michelle, a proud LGBT couple raising two children – one deaf, the other with a normal range of hearing — in a world where acceptance is still a battle. Their family dynamic is joyful, emotional, and deeply moving. Finally, we meet Sean, a passionate young boxer with big dreams, and his partner Deyanna, as they navigate the emotional and practical complexities of young love, parenthood, and ambition with a decision that could change their lives forever.

What’s extraordinary about A Quiet Love is not just the access Keane grants us to these lives, but the authenticity with which he allows their truths to unfold. Nothing is staged. Nothing is overly sentimental. These are real people, with real joys and fears and flaws. And yet, through it all, what stands tall is love; not perfect, but powerful. Not loud, but profound.

Visually, the film is tender and poetic. From windswept Irish coastlines to modest family kitchens to the roar of the boxing ring, every frame feels lived-in and full of life. The camera lingers not for spectacle, but for connection: on hands, eyes, smiles, the small but powerful gestures of intimacy.

Beyond exploring the Deaf community with rare authenticity, A Quiet Love also dives deep into Irish identity and how culture and history intersect with disability and love. The legacy of sectarianism, generational trauma, and cultural resilience all play subtle, powerful roles in shaping these couples’ lives. And through it all, Keane shows us how love endures — not in spite of hardship, but because of it.

A Quiet Love is not just a documentary; it’s a cinematic act of empathy. It reminds us that love doesn’t require sound. It requires understanding, compassion, and presence. It’s a film that invites us not to observe, but to feel, to learn, and to connect.

In a year filled with emotional highs, A Quiet Love is one of 2025’s most sincere and uplifting cinematic experiences. It’s a warm, unguarded celebration of love in its most essential form: real, human, and beautifully quiet.

Image: Taskovski Films

The post DocEdge Film Festival 2025 – ‘A Quiet Love’ – Review appeared first on SpicyPulp.