The Rocky Horror Picture Show concludes with the Transylvanians, including Frank-N-Furter, Magenta, and Riff Raff, revealed as aliens preparing to return to their home planet of Transsexual, Transylvania. After a performance of “Planet Schmanet Janet” where Frank-N-Furter is rejected by his creations, Riff Raff and Magenta usurp control, executing Frank-N-Furter and Rocky before departing for their home world, leaving Brad and Janet alone to reflect on their transformative experience.
The Bloody Coup: A Power Shift in the Castle
The ending of The Rocky Horror Picture Show is anything but predictable, a chaotic ballet of betrayal, murder, and intergalactic escape. After a wild night of sexual exploration and bizarre scientific experiments, the film pivots into a confrontation that clarifies the true identities and intentions of several key characters. The carefully constructed illusion of Frank-N-Furter’s dominance crumbles, revealing the power struggle simmering beneath the surface between him and his fellow Transylvanians, Riff Raff and Magenta.
Riff Raff, initially presented as a subservient handyman, reveals himself as a calculating revolutionary, seizing the opportunity to overthrow Frank-N-Furter and reclaim control. The song “Planet Schmanet Janet” serves as a precursor to the coup, a performance where Frank-N-Furter attempts to maintain his power and influence, only to be met with rejection and ridicule from those he believes are under his control. This blatant disregard for his authority fuels Riff Raff’s plan, culminating in the explosive final act.
Frank-N-Furter, in his flamboyant arrogance, fails to recognize the shifting tides within his own household. He views Rocky not as a creation capable of independent thought, but as a tool for his own gratification. This hubris proves to be his downfall. His execution, alongside Rocky, underscores the ruthlessness of Riff Raff and Magenta’s ambition and their commitment to their own agenda: returning to Transsexual, Transylvania.
The Aftermath: What Happens to Brad and Janet?
Left standing amidst the carnage and the departing spaceship, Brad and Janet are irrevocably changed. Their innocence has been shattered, their naive worldview replaced by a newfound awareness of the bizarre and unpredictable nature of reality. They are survivors, albeit scarred survivors, of an encounter with the extraordinary.
The film doesn’t explicitly detail what happens to them after the Transylvanians’ departure. However, the final scene suggests a return to normalcy, or at least an attempt at it. Brad and Janet are seen huddling together, clearly shaken but alive. They have witnessed things that will forever alter their perspective, forcing them to confront their own repressed desires and societal expectations.
The ending prompts viewers to consider the lasting impact of trauma and the potential for personal growth in the face of the unimaginable. While they may try to revert to their previous lives, the experiences at Frank-N-Furter’s castle will undoubtedly linger, influencing their future decisions and relationships. Their journey serves as a cautionary tale, but also an exploration of the liberating power of embracing the unknown.
Leaving Earth: The Transylvanians’ True Mission
The final moments, with Riff Raff and Magenta revealed in their true alien forms, dramatically shift the narrative’s focus. Their mission was never about participating in Frank-N-Furter’s hedonistic experiments; it was always about preparing for their return to Transsexual, Transylvania. Frank-N-Furter, in their eyes, was merely a detour, a flamboyant distraction that ultimately served its purpose but outlived its usefulness.
Their departure on a floating castle-spaceship is visually striking and thematically resonant. It underscores the idea that some individuals are destined for something beyond the confines of Earthly existence. Their alien identities explain their eccentric behavior and their disregard for human conventions. They are not bound by the same rules and societal norms, and their ultimate goal is to return to a place where they truly belong.
The flight to Transsexual, Transylvania signifies a rejection of the ordinary and a celebration of the unconventional. It’s a powerful message about embracing one’s true self, even if that self is radically different from what society expects. The Transylvanians’ final act is a testament to their unwavering commitment to their own identity and their determination to escape the limitations of the human world.
FAQs: Unpacking the Rocky Horror Ending
Here are some Frequently Asked Questions to provide a deeper understanding of The Rocky Horror Picture Show‘s ending:
H3: 1. Why does Riff Raff kill Frank-N-Furter?
Riff Raff kills Frank-N-Furter to seize control and return to Transsexual, Transylvania. Frank-N-Furter had strayed too far from their original mission and had become too enamored with his own hedonistic pursuits, jeopardizing their return. He was deemed a liability and eliminated to ensure the completion of their primary objective. The coup was about power and a return to their roots.
H3: 2. What is the significance of the “Planet Schmanet Janet” performance?
The performance of “Planet Schmanet Janet” is crucial because it reveals the growing dissatisfaction with Frank-N-Furter’s leadership. It showcases his waning influence over his creations and the growing unrest within the castle. The song is a turning point, highlighting the impending rebellion and foreshadowing Frank-N-Furter’s eventual downfall.
H3: 3. What happens to Rocky after Frank-N-Furter’s death?
Rocky is also killed by Riff Raff. He is considered an experiment gone wrong and a symbol of Frank-N-Furter’s overreach. Riff Raff sees him as an unnecessary complication that needs to be eliminated to ensure a smooth departure. Rocky’s death emphasizes the ruthlessness of Riff Raff and Magenta’s agenda.
H3: 4. Are Riff Raff and Magenta truly aliens?
Yes, the ending reveals Riff Raff and Magenta to be aliens from the planet Transsexual, Transylvania. Their alien forms are explicitly shown as they prepare to return home. This revelation contextualizes their bizarre behavior and their detachment from human societal norms.
H3: 5. What is the “Time Warp” and how does it relate to the ending?
The “Time Warp” is a dance number that appears earlier in the film. While not directly related to the explicit ending narrative, it embodies the film’s themes of transformation, liberation, and embracing the unconventional. It serves as a microcosm of the overall experience Brad and Janet undergo.
H3: 6. Why is the castle able to fly into space?
The castle’s ability to fly into space is a fantastical element that emphasizes the film’s surreal and otherworldly nature. It underscores the Transylvanians’ advanced technology and their connection to a reality beyond human comprehension. It’s a visual representation of their escape from the constraints of Earth.
H3: 7. What is the meaning of the final line: “Don’t dream it, be it”?
The final line, “Don’t dream it, be it,” encourages viewers to embrace their true selves and actively pursue their desires, rather than passively fantasizing about them. It’s a call to action, urging individuals to break free from societal expectations and live authentically.
H3: 8. How did the events at the castle change Brad and Janet?
The events at the castle shattered Brad and Janet’s innocence and exposed them to a world of sexual experimentation and unconventional behavior. They were forced to confront their own repressed desires and to question their preconceived notions about morality and societal norms.
H3: 9. Is there any symbolism in the rain at the beginning and end of the movie?
The rain at the beginning represents the mundane, ordinary world that Brad and Janet are leaving behind. The rain at the end can be interpreted as a cleansing, symbolizing the washing away of their old selves and the beginning of a new chapter. It represents the transformative power of their experience.
H3: 10. What is the significance of the lips in the opening sequence?
The lips in the opening sequence, singing “Science Fiction Double Feature,” are symbolic of the film’s themes of sexuality, transgression, and the power of visual media. They represent the film’s invitation to indulge in the unconventional and to embrace the pleasures of the senses.
H3: 11. Is Frank-N-Furter a hero or a villain?
Frank-N-Furter is a complex and morally ambiguous character who defies easy categorization as a hero or a villain. He is both charismatic and manipulative, creative and destructive. He represents a challenge to traditional notions of morality and gender, and his actions ultimately lead to his own downfall.
H3: 12. What is the overall message or theme of The Rocky Horror Picture Show?
The overall message of The Rocky Horror Picture Show is a celebration of individuality, sexual liberation, and the embrace of the unconventional. It encourages viewers to question societal norms, to challenge traditional notions of morality, and to embrace their true selves, regardless of how different they may be. It’s a call for acceptance, tolerance, and the freedom to be oneself.