Tribeca Review: Time Warp Embraces Queer Joy with a Fresh Perspective on The Rocky Horror Picture Show

      The Rocky Horror Picture Show can be characterized in numerous ways. Over the past fifty years, it has evolved into more than just a cult classic; it has become a significant cultural symbol for individuals across the nation, with spontaneous midnight screenings filling theaters. In New York, a Broadway production of Rocky Horror continues to thrive, and numerous shadow casts perform throughout the year. It embodies an experience of queer joy, community, tradition, and enjoyment.

      Allison Berg’s documentary, Time Warp, explores how small-town America interacts with this iconic film. She visits Rock Springs, Wyoming, to follow the director, choreographer, operator, and lead performer of a drag theater group. Kenny Starling, a 25-year-old queer resident of Rock Springs, decides to stage a show in his tough community. The documentary aims to capture this queer joy, highlighting the limited opportunities for self-expression in the town.

      Starling enlists local teenagers, a city council member, and anyone eager to join his production. He embraces them and fosters a sense of family. Berg spends time with nearly all the residents of the shadow cast, visiting their homes, schools, and workplaces. A recurring theme emerges: they all seek a space to express their true selves.

      Many, particularly the younger cast members, lack robust support systems. Their families range from uncertain to outright rejecting, often misgendering them and denying their way of life. Yet, Berg sets the camera aside and engages with each participant in Time Warp, regardless of their beliefs or identities. Her voice guides the film, encouraging the community members to share their stories.

      Two moments stand out prominently. First, Berg captures a local city council town hall where residents speak about the Starling Company’s production of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. This glimpse into Rock Springs, and similar towns across the U.S., illustrates how these residents navigate conflict within their communities and reveals how the political right exploits gender expression and ideology to marginalize the LGBTQIA+ population. It reflects the national changes over the past decade during Trump’s presidency without overt editorializing.

      The second notable moment occurs at a local bingo night, where the cast previews the song “Sweet Transvestite” led by Starling. This signifies a potential shift in Rock Springs, presenting a moment of acceptance for queer artists celebrating joy in a community center’s glaring lights. Berg interviews some audience members, revealing a confusion about what just occurred, or what might have transpired. There were no protesters or counter-events, no shouts or insults; instead, there was cheering, singing along, and applause.

      Kenny Starling is cultivating queer space in Rock Springs. Though the town is slow to evolve, throughout the year captured in the documentary, an increasing number of residents begin to support these performers. Time Warp is an essential celebration of this growing acceptance.

      Time Warp premiered at the 2026 Tribeca Festival.