“TIME WARP” // TRIBECA 2026
BY MATEO MORENO
The Rocky Horror Picture Show first hit the screen in 1975 and it was not a hit. It was weird, bold, loud and very queer. Just like the stage show that it was based on (1973’s The Rocky Horror Show), Richard O’Brien’s wild and campy homage to old science fiction and B-movies of the 1950’s was like nothing anyone had ever seen before. And that’s why it failed so spectacularly. And for the same reason, that’s also why it immediately gained a cult following and became one of the greatest cult-classics of all time. Midnight screenings began soon after, where people who dress up as their favorite character and actors would perform the show, in costume, in front of the screen as a “shadow cast.” Fans began talking back to the screen, making up jokes as the film went along (things like - When Brad Majors first shows up, people started yelling, “Asshole.”). It has brought together millions of people who didn’t feel like they fit into other circles. It’s truly been a monumentally beautiful experience over the years. The stage show has also found great success, revived twice on Broadway (the latest is currently running) and in multiple countries and regional theaters.
In Allison Berg’s heartfelt documentary TIME WARP, we follow the rehearsals of a drag theatrical group in the small town of Rock Springs, Wyoming as they prepare to put on the “Shadow Cast” version of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Kenny Starling (who founded the company, directs, choreographs and stars as the lead role of Frank-N-Furter) and has decided to stage it in his very conservative community. He’s just 25-years-old but he was the soul of a million queer kids who stood before him and the bravery of them all as well. He won’t let anything stand in his way and he opens up casting to anyone who wants to be part of it, which includes tons of queer kids from the town as well as a straight city councilman who’s a strong ally to them from the beginning (there’s a powerful segment in a local city council meeting where he defends them, queer kids in general and their right to express themselves against a local bigot who wants to connect homosexuality with dangerous behavior. Watching this calm takedown is deeply satisfying). Suddenly, Starling has a full cast and crew that are just as excited for the show as he is. People flocked to the production. They wanted and needed to be part of it. To express themselves. They see in Starling a kindred spirit, someone who has the bravery to do exactly what they have wanted to do. They can be themselves on this stage, together.
Sadly, we hear the all too typical backstories of the group of queer kids taking part of this. Their families misgender them and refused to recognize who they are and how they celebrate their own being. It’s a horrible shame that so many people cannot love and respect and honor their queer children, because they are beautiful, and these kids all deserve the respect and dignity that their straight community members crave. It’s heartbreaking every time one of the kids tells the same story, usually in a monotone way because sadly they’ve grown used to the homophobia and transphobia. Someone no child should ever have to “get used to,” especially from their family and friends. But not all of the town is against the local queer community existing. At a local bingo night, the cast decided to perform a “sneak preview” of the show to help drum up business. The crowd LOVES the performance and eats up every bit of the cast performing “Sweet Transvestite” across their bingo floor. It was absolutely heartwarming to see an older audience embrace the younger queer generation and then inquire how they can get tickets. If that doesn’t make your eyes well up with happy tears, well, then maybe you’re the exact kind of person who needs to see this blistering warm documentary.
Director Allison Berg has crafted a true love letter, to the queer community at large, young queer youths simply trying to exist as themselves and the huge fan base of Rocky Horror itself. The cast is dynamite (Starling is a standout gem as Frank) and we do get to finally see their wonderful performances and it’s true queer joy. That’s what this is and always was all about: queer joy. Starling speaks of it multiple times throughout the doc, that he wants to share the queer joy that they have every day being themselves and let a room full of straight and queer people exist in it too. Together. And he’s not limiting the audience either. When the camera interviews a Trump supporting older white man, Starling says that he would love to see the man at the show. “Everyone is welcome.” You don’t see the other side saying such things. Even the Trump supporting older man wants to be there. Someone seems to awaken within him in the interview, memories of seeing Rocky Horror when he was young. He even suggests that he supports the queer community and will be there on opening night, suggesting a shift inside this man that we may be experiencing in real time. TIME WARP is a beautiful, timely and important doc. Showing Trans and Queer teens simply exist is so vitally important right now, and showcasing their life and beautiful work is even more important. I would like to suggest, if I may, let them take you on a strange journey. Scratch that. Let them take you on an absolutely beautiful and important journey. Who knows? Perhaps there’s something in you that will awaken as well.
GRADE: A
DIRECTED BY Allison Berg FEATURING Kenny Starling, Kaley Sikora, Gabriel Garcia, Dejanae Westbrook, Tim Robinson, Devin Manfull, Valerie McCoy, Tasha Seppie, Hana Tanaka, Em O’Lexey. FEATURED AS PART OF THE 2026 TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL. FOR MORE INFO: https://tribecafilm.com/films/time-warp-2026