Brad Majors Rocky Horror

Michael Sow

2 min read

·

11-12-2024

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Brad Majors. The name conjures images of a sweet, if somewhat naive, young man thrust into a world of outrageous excess and uninhibited sexuality. He's the quintessential everyman, the audience surrogate in the cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show. But beyond the fishnet stockings and the bewildered expressions, lies a character ripe for deeper analysis.

From Sweetheart to…Something Else

Brad, played with endearing awkwardness by Barry Bostwick, begins the film as the epitome of wholesome Americana. He's engaged to the equally demure Janet Weiss, and their planned visit to their former college professor seems destined for polite conversation and perhaps a little awkward small talk. His journey, however, is anything but conventional.

The arrival at the mysterious mansion, the encounter with the flamboyant Dr. Frank-N-Furter, and the subsequent unveiling of a bizarre, sexually liberated world—all of it unravels Brad's carefully constructed perception of reality. He's no longer the innocent bystander; he's a participant, albeit a reluctant one, in a series of increasingly surreal events.

The Transformation of Brad

One of the most fascinating aspects of Brad's character arc is his gradual, almost imperceptible, transformation. He initially recoils from the overtly sexual nature of the inhabitants of the mansion, yet as the night progresses, he exhibits a growing fascination, even a certain level of participation. This isn't necessarily a complete abandonment of his morals, but rather a blurring of lines, a gradual acceptance of a world that challenges his previously held beliefs.

This shift isn't explicitly portrayed, making it all the more compelling. We see it in his hesitant yet ultimately accepting participation in the Time Warp, in his evolving interactions with Columbia and Magenta, and in the gradual softening of his initial shock and disgust.

The Lasting Impact

Brad's character isn't simply a plot device; he's a reflection of the audience's own journey through the film's wild and unpredictable events. He allows us, through his reactions, to experience the shock, the confusion, and the eventual, somewhat unsettling, acceptance of the bizarre spectacle unfolding before us. He serves as a reminder that even the most seemingly ordinary individual can be swept up in the extraordinary, and that sometimes, the most unexpected experiences can leave the deepest impact.

While not as flamboyant or outwardly captivating as some of the other characters, Brad Majors's quiet transformation, his journey from bewildered innocence to grudging participation, ultimately makes him one of the most compelling and memorable figures in The Rocky Horror Picture Show. He's a reminder that even in a world of outrageous aliens and transvestite scientists, the human experience, in all its complexities, remains at the heart of the story.