Released in 1981, Shock Treatment was Richard O’Brien’s surreal follow-up to The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Set in the bizarre TV town of Denton, the film swapped out castles for a television studio where reality and entertainment blurred into a campy, satirical spectacle. With returning cast members including O’Brien, Patricia Quinn, and Nell Campbell—plus new leads Jessica Harper and Cliff De Young—Shock Treatment skewered American media culture long before “reality TV” became mainstream. Though it baffled audiences at release, the movie has since become a cult favorite, cherished for its biting satire, eccentric style, and unforgettable soundtrack.
