When Music, Activism, and Chaos Collide

Read Time:5 Minute, 12 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
The Big Johnson
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Genre: Documentary
Year Released: 2025
Runtime: 2h 15m
Director(s): Lola Rock'N'Rolla
Where To Watch: shown at the 2025 Slamdance Film Festival

RAVING REVIEW: THE BIG JOHNSON doesn’t just tell a story—it grabs you by the collar and pulls you headfirst into the electric chaos of 1980s New York City. At the center of it all is Dean Johnson, a towering, bald icon who refused to conform, bending punk rock, drag, and activism into an unbreakable force. This documentary isn’t just about his life; it’s about the spaces he created, the barriers he shattered, and the contradictions that made him both larger-than-life and tragically vulnerable. His legacy is undeniable, yet his final days remain a haunting mystery, leaving behind a tale as compelling as the music and culture he helped define.

The moment Johnson took the stage, he was more than just another frontman—he was an extravaganza. Whether performing in cocktail dresses and oversized sunglasses or leading his band, Dean and the Weenies, his presence was impossible to ignore. His anthem, “Fuck You,” became a battle cry for outcasts and misfits, cutting through the noise of an industry that had no idea what to do with him. It’s impossible to watch this film and not feel the raw, rebellious energy that fueled his music, his performances, and the underground movement he helped cultivate.

Despite his undeniable talent and charisma, the mainstream never embraced Johnson. It should have been his big break when he signed with Island Records. Instead, the label stripped him of his identity, burying his work in a generic release that failed to capture the essence of who he was. But rather than fade into obscurity, he built his legacy, creating platforms that refused to be anything less than fully, unapologetically queer.

THE BIG JOHNSON thrives when it immerses the audience in the world Johnson fought to build. His ‘Rock and Roll Fag Bar’ wasn’t just a nightclub—it was a statement. A place where LGBTQIA2S+ artists weren’t sidelined but celebrated. Later, his HomoCorps shows at CBGB gave queer and transgender rock musicians a stage to claim as their own, proving that these communities weren’t just part of the scene; they were defining it. The film brings these moments to life with an intensity that makes you feel like you’re standing in the middle, surrounded by music, sweat, and revolution.

But for all his moments of triumph, this is not a documentary that turns its subject into an untouchable icon. Johnson’s story is just as much about struggle as success. The looming shadow of the AIDS crisis, his HIV diagnosis, and the battle to stay afloat in a rapidly gentrifying city took their toll. The film doesn’t shy away from the realities of his life, addressing his turn to sex work with honesty rather than sensationalism. It’s a vital part of his journey, and the documentary treats it with the complexity it deserves.

Then there’s the ending no one saw coming. In 2007, Johnson was found dead in a Washington, D.C., apartment, just days after another escort had died in the same location. It’s the kind of detail that feels ripped from a noir thriller, except there are no answers, no final revelations. Was it an accident? Was it something more sinister? THE BIG JOHNSON doesn’t force a conclusion where there isn’t one. Instead, it allows the uncertainty to sit with the audience, adding to the tragedy of an artist who burned bright but left behind too many unanswered questions.

Director Lola Rock'N'Rolla, a former bandmate and close friend, crafts a documentary that feels deeply personal and universally significant. Through interviews with those who knew him best—Michael Musto, Heather Litteer, Lady Bunny, and others—the film builds a portrait of a man who was both a product of his environment and a force that reshaped it.

Visually, THE BIG JOHNSON mirrors the energy of its subject. The mix of vintage club footage and present-day commentary is raw and immediate, giving the film a sense of urgency that keeps it from ever feeling like a history lesson. The editing choices reflect the highs and lows of Johnson’s life, never settling into a predictable pattern but always keeping the momentum alive.

THE BIG JOHNSON delivers where it counts. It’s loud, vibrant, and just as rebellious as Johnson himself, refusing to sanitize or simplify a life that was anything but ordinary. This isn’t just a look back at a wild ride—it’s a testament to what happens when an artist refuses to be anything but themselves. Dean Johnson may not have been given his due in his lifetime, but this film ensures his story won’t be forgotten. This is essential viewing for those who love music, activism, and stories about those who defy expectations.

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[photo courtesy of FUNTOWN PICTURES]

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