Shock Treatment Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Brad and Janet go on TV and end up in a mental hospital run by the same people who were in Rocky Horror, but they’re different characters, and it’s all about the evils of television, I think?

🍿 Shock Treatment: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Denton: The Town That Tuned In

Set several years after ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’, Brad and Janet Majors find their marriage in a slump in their hometown of Denton, USA. However, Denton has transformed into a giant television studio where residents are either performers or viewers, living and breathing the world of DTV. The opening number, ‘Denton, USA’, sets the stage for this surreal and satirical world.

Marriage Maze and Dentonvale

Brad and Janet’s marital woes lead them to become contestants on ‘Marriage Maze,’ a game show hosted by the eccentric Bert Schnick. The show’s true purpose becomes apparent when Brad is deemed emotionally unstable and committed to Dentonvale, the local mental hospital which doubles as a reality TV series. Janet, manipulated by promises of stardom, is conscripted to become the face of a new TV program.

Janet’s Rise to Fame

As Janet embraces her newfound fame, she begins to forget about Brad. The McKinley siblings, Dr. Cosmo and Dr. Nation, play a significant role in Janet’s transformation, molding her into ‘Miss Mental Health’ and exploiting her for their own gains. Janet’s journey is marked by musical numbers like ‘Little Black Dress’ and ‘Me of Me,’ highlighting her descent into ego-driven stardom.

A Sinister Plot Unravels

Judge Oliver Wright and Betty Hapschatt, suspicious of the happenings at DTV, investigate Farley Flavors, the owner of the TV station, and the McKinley siblings. They discover that the McKinleys are merely character actors and that Farley has a hidden agenda. As they delve deeper, they uncover a shocking connection between Farley and Brad.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Janet Majors (Jessica Harper): Janet is Brad’s wife who becomes a star in the Denton TV studio, but eventually realizes she wants her real life back.
• Brad Majors (Cliff De Young): Brad is Janet’s husband who finds himself imprisoned on the ‘Dentonvale’ program and struggles with his marriage.
• Farley Flavors (Cliff De Young): Farley is the fast food magnate and TV executive who schemes to steal Janet away from Brad.
• Dr. Cosmo McKinley (Richard O’Brien): Dr. Cosmo McKinley is the fraudulent doctor and character actor who runs ‘Dentonvale’ with his sister.
• Dr. Nation McKinley (Patricia Quinn): Dr. Nation McKinley is the fraudulent doctor and character actor who helps her brother run ‘Dentonvale’.
• Betty Hapschatt (Ruby Wax): Betty is a former morning show hostess who uncovers the sinister motives behind ‘Faith Factory’ and helps Brad.
• Judge Oliver Wright (Charles Gray): Judge Wright is a sympathetic DTV presenter who joins Betty in investigating Farley and the McKinleys.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Janet Majors: “Hi, Brad, I’ve just come to tell you how fabulous I am.” – Said by Janet as she becomes entranced by her newfound fame and loses sight of her relationship with Brad.
• Harry Weiss: “Faggots are maggots – thank God I’m a man!” – Janet’s father proclaims his belief in traditional American masculinity and disparages other options.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $3.5M
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 Shock Treatment Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so it’s *nothing* like Rocky Horror, but that’s what makes it awesome in its own weird way. I first saw this on a grainy VHS tape and was instantly hooked. It’s like a bizarre fever dream about reality TV before reality TV was even a thing. The songs are so catchy, and Jessica Harper is fantastic. I still sing ‘Bitchin’ in the Kitchen’ while I’m doing dishes. The whole movie is such a trippy, colorful, satirical ride that I think is extremely underrated. If you like Rocky Horror, give it a chance, but go in with an open mind.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of cult musicals”
  • “Viewers interested in satires of media and celebrity culture”
  • “Those who appreciate the works of Richard O’Brien and Jim Sharman”
  • “Individuals who enjoy films with a surreal and bizarre aesthetic”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Suggestive themes”
  • “Some drug references”
  • “Mild language”

Professional Reviews

• JoBlo.com: “While not as iconic as its predecessor, ‘Shock Treatment’ is a darkly comedic satire on the burgeoning reality television craze of the 80s (though, in reality, it didn’t hit it’s stride until a decade or so later). The music’s not bad either!
• N/A: “An intellectual movie with a serious message, a brilliant satire of life in the late 20th century. O’Brien takes jabs at the hallmarks of the decline of modern Western civilisation; conformity, machismo, brainwashing, and the absurdity of the “American Dream”. If you want a thought-provoking yet whimsical, tongue-in-cheek attack on all that is mind-numbing and soul crushing in our modern world, definately check this film out.
• N/A: ” ‘Shock Treatment’ takes place entirely in the television station of DTV, a local TV station that probes into the lives of its town’s citizens. This stands on it’s own as an excellent musical-comedy with great songs and characters… Clever lyrics and catchy tunes abound in classics like “Bitchin’ in the Kitchen”, “Little Black Dress”, and the haunting “Lullaby”.

Audience Reactions

Some fans claim this film works on an intellectual level unlike RHPS: Fans appreciate the prescient satire of reality television and catchy, though different, musical numbers.

Overall Consensus: A polarizing film, ‘Shock Treatment’ is appreciated by some for its satirical take on television and catchy music, while others find it disappointing compared to ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Richard O’Brien has expressed dislike for this film due to the confusing plot arising from numerous rewrites, though he praises the music and its prescience regarding reality TV.”
• “The Screen Actors Guild strike in 1980-1981 forced the entire production to be filmed on a sound stage in the UK, contributing to the film’s unique aesthetic.”
• “Originally conceived as ‘The Brad and Janet Show’, the project underwent significant changes, and the absence of key cast members from ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’ (Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick) further altered the film’s direction.”

🖥️ How to Watch Shock Treatment?

As of today, ‘Shock Treatment’ is not widely available on major streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime Video. You might be able to find it for rent or purchase on platforms such as Apple TV, Google Play Movies, or Vudu. Physical copies (DVDs, Blu-rays) can sometimes be found through online retailers like Amazon or eBay, but availability may vary due to its cult status and limited distribution.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Shock Treatment, you might like these similar films:

• The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975): Direct sequel – shares the same creator, some returning cast members, and continues the story of Brad and Janet, albeit in a very different way.
• Network (1976): Shares a similar theme of satirizing the media and its effects on society, though with a darker and more dramatic tone.
• Phantom of the Paradise (1974): Features Jessica Harper in a key role and similarly blends music, satire, and dark themes within a visually striking style.
• The Truman Show (1998): Presents a world where an individual’s life is unknowingly broadcast as a reality show, reflecting the themes of media manipulation and manufactured reality.

🛒 Shock Treatment Related Products

• The Rocky Horror Picture Show [Blu-ray]: Relive the original cult classic while waiting for ‘Shock Treatment’ to grow on you. A must-have for any fan of the franchise.
• Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show – Original Australian Cast Recording: Relive the original stage show that spawned the cult classic. This music is a great companion to Rocky Horror and Shock Treatment.
• Poster: Shock Treatment – The Home of Happiness: High-quality print of the original movie poster. This is a way to show off love for this unique movie. Perfect for any fan’s collection.
• Five Flavors Fast Food – Shock Treatment T-Shirt: Show your love for Farley Flavors and his Five Flavors Fast Food restaurant with this fan made t-shirt. You’ll instantly be recognizable as a fan of Shock Treatment, not because everyone likes it, but because people don’t know what it is.

🎧 Soundtrack

Shock Treatment features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Overture” – performed by Richard Hartley & Richard O’Brien
• “Denton, U.S.A.” – performed by Cast
• “Bitchin’ in the Kitchen” – performed by Brad Majors
• “Lullaby” – performed by Janet Majors
• “Shock Treatment” – performed by Janet Majors
• “Breaking Out” – performed by Janet Majors

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

What makes The Rocky Horror Picture Show a cult classic?

Ever wondered why ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’ is such a huge deal? This video breaks down the elements that made it a cult phenomenon, which helps to understand the background of ‘Shock Treatment’ too! I found it super insightful in connecting the dots.

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