The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let's Do the Time Warp Again – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let's Do the Time Warp Again

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2016

18%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A universally panned TV remake of the cult classic that strips away the fun and leaves only the awkward sexual content.

4.2/10

29%

25%

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The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let's Do the Time Warp Again

movie

16, 2016

18%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A universally panned TV remake of the cult classic that strips away the fun and leaves only the awkward sexual content.

4.2

29%

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4.2/10

29%

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Screenwise Verdict

Let's be blunt: this is a train wreck. The 2016 TV remake of Rocky Horror takes a beloved cult classic and strips away everything that made it special—the transgressive energy, the midnight-movie participation culture, the campy charm—and leaves only the sexually explicit content without the context or quality.

With a 29% critic score, 25% audience score, and a dismal 4.2/10 on IMDb, this isn't just bad for kids—it's bad for everyone. Even fans of the original hate it. The sexual content (seduction, innuendo, the creation of a literal sex object) makes it inappropriate for anyone under 18, and the poor execution makes it unwatchable for most adults.

If your teen is curious about Rocky Horror, show them the 1975 original in an appropriate context with discussion about its cultural significance. This remake? Skip it entirely. There's absolutely no reason to have this on your family's radar.

Age Fit

This is adults-only content (18+) with sexually explicit themes, and even then, the terrible reviews suggest most adults won't enjoy it either. The original 1975 film has cultural significance; this 2016 remake has none.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

This remake features sexually charged content, cross-dressing, innuendo-heavy dialogue, and themes of seduction and manipulation that aren't emotionally healthy for younger viewers. While it celebrates self-expression and theatricality, the tone is deliberately provocative and campy rather than modeling cooperation or kindness. Common Sense Media rates it 15+, indicating mature themes throughout.

Imaginative

The theatrical rock-musical format with elaborate dance numbers, sci-fi horror camp aesthetic, and the iconic 'Time Warp' sequence show creative ambition. However, as a remake of the 1975 cult classic, it offers little original imagination—it's essentially a TV-movie retread. The flamboyant character design and musical numbers invite visual creativity, but it doesn't encourage active participation or building like interactive media would.

Safe

Contains sexual content, suggestive dancing, cross-dressing, innuendo, and mature themes involving seduction and the creation of a 'perfect man' as a sexual object. The entire premise revolves around Dr. Frank-N-Furter's sexually charged interactions with the innocent couple. Not appropriate for children or unexpected family viewing. While there's no graphic violence or gore, the sexual content and mature themes warrant the low safety score for a family platform.

Enriching

Offers minimal enrichment value. The original 1975 film was culturally significant for LGBTQ+ representation and became a participatory cult phenomenon, but this 2016 TV remake lacks that cultural impact or meaningful takeaways. The abysmal ratings (29% RT critics, 25% audience, 4.2 IMDb, 2.2 Letterboxd) indicate it fails even as entertainment. It doesn't build skills, offer ethical growth, or provide substantive insight—it's simply a poorly executed remake of camp theater.

Parent Info

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Why It Might Be Great

If you're nostalgic for the original and have literally nothing else to watch, it attempts to recreate the iconic musical numbers
The 'Time Warp' sequence exists, technically
Could spark discussions about why some cult classics should never be remade

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What to Watch For

Sexually suggestive content throughout—seduction, innuendo, provocative dancing, and the entire plot revolves around a mad scientist creating a muscular man for sexual purposes
Cross-dressing and gender-bending themes that are presented in a campy, sexually charged context
It's genuinely bad—29% on Rotten Tomatoes and 4.2 on IMDb means even adults who might appreciate the mature content will likely hate-watch at best
This is emphatically NOT for kids or family movie night