The Modern Frankenstein?

Halloween is my favourite holiday, and for all the horror lovers, no Halloween is complete without a movie marathon of all the classics. At the top of my list is The Rocky Horror Picture Show, a 1975 film adaptation of a British rock musical stageplay. For the readers who are not familiar with this movie, if you enjoy kitschy, loud and somewhat offensive musicals, I suggest you become acquainted. Apart from The Rocky Horror Picture Show being a cult classic, I have recently come to realize it contains many semblances with Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show may be seen as the comedic version of the original Frankenstein, wherein Dr. Frank N. Furter brings life to a creature (named Rocky) for his own personal pleasure, but soon finds he is unable to control his creature’s lust. Both Frankenstein and Frank N. Furter bring creatures into the world over whom they are powerless.

While there are many finer themes in the novel which are somewhat lost in the film, there is one idea which remains equally present in both: It is never wise to extend one’s boundaries past what is capable.  Frankenstein and his modern day counterpart pay dearly for exploring the forbidden realms of creation. Victor’s monster kills those closest to him, while Rocky betrays his creator and seduces various others into his bed. Exactly like in the novel, The Rocky Horror Picture Show ends with the destruction of both creature and creator.

This twisted and comedic film mirrors the Frankenstein novel but in a contemporary light; updating themes to suit the trends of the day.

It shocked me how many years I had been watching this film without making even the slightest connection to the Frankenstein novel, to which it undoubtedly owes its roots.