You know those movies that feel like they were filmed in a parallel dimension where the 1980s never actually ended and everyone just stayed caffeinated and neon-obsessed forever? That’s Voyage of the Rock Aliens. It’s a 1984 sci-fi musical comedy that basically exists because someone, somewhere, decided that what the world really needed was a mashup of Grease, E.T., and a New Wave music video. Honestly, the Voyage of the Rock Aliens cast is the only reason this thing works—or doesn’t work, depending on how much glitter you like in your cinema.
It’s weird. It’s loud. It stars Pia Zadora.
If you grew up in the era of midnight movies or stumbled upon this on a dusty VHS shelf, you probably remember the plot being something about aliens looking for the "source" of rock and roll. They find it in a place called "Speelburgh," which is the kind of subtle pun that tells you exactly what kind of ride you're in for. But the real magic isn't the spaceship shaped like a guitar; it’s the bizarrely high-energy ensemble that committed to the bit with 100% sincerity.
The Leading Lady: Pia Zadora as Dee Dee
Pia Zadora is a fascinator. Before she was Dee Dee in this movie, she was already a polarizing figure in Hollywood, mostly because her husband at the time, Meshulam Riklis, was famously accused of "buying" her a Golden Globe for Butterfly. But regardless of the industry gossip, Zadora had a voice. In Voyage of the Rock Aliens, she plays Dee Dee, the girl-next-door who just wants to sing and date the local "bad boy."
Zadora brings this strange, high-wattage energy to the screen. She isn't just acting; she’s performing for the back row of a stadium that doesn't exist. Her chemistry with the alien lead is... well, it’s there. Sort of. She performs "When the Rain Begins to Fall" with Jermaine Jackson (who isn't physically in the movie's main plot but appears in the music video segment), and that song actually became a massive hit in Europe. It's the peak of the film’s musical ambition. Without Zadora’s specific brand of "I’m a star, dammit," the movie would probably have folded under its own absurdity.
The Alien Heartthrob: Craig Sheffer as ABC
Then you’ve got Craig Sheffer. Before he was the brooding lead in A River Runs Through It or the villain in Nightbreed, he was ABC. ABC is an alien with a giant blonde pompadour who lands on Earth and immediately falls for Dee Dee.
Sheffer is surprisingly good here. He has to play a character who is literally learning how to be a human through rock music, which involves a lot of wide-eyed staring and stiff movements. It’s a far cry from the serious dramatic roles he’d take later in the 90s. Seeing him in skin-tight futuristic gear is a trip. It’s one of those "everyone has to start somewhere" roles, but he doesn't phone it in. He actually makes you care about a guy who came from a planet that apparently only listens to synth-pop.
The "Bad Boy" and the Real Rockers: Tom Nolan and Rhema
Every 80s movie needs a rival. Enter Tom Nolan as "Absurd."
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He’s the leader of the local gang, The Pack. Nolan plays him with this sneering, Elvis-on-acid energy that fits the Speelburgh vibe perfectly. But the real standout in terms of the musical identity of the film is the band Rhema. They play the rest of the aliens—ABCD, EFG, and so on.
Rhema was a real-world synth-pop band from Arizona. They weren't just actors hired to hold instruments; they were the actual musicians behind the sound. This is why the musical numbers feel a bit more "authentic" than your average low-budget musical. Their track "21st Century" is a genuine earworm. Most of the band members—like Patrick "Duffy" DeWane and Bobby "Z" Tewsley—didn't go on to have massive acting careers, but they left an indelible mark on the cult film landscape just by being themselves in silver jumpsuits.
Ruth Gordon: The Legend in the Mix
Perhaps the most "wait, what?" casting choice in the entire Voyage of the Rock Aliens cast is Ruth Gordon.
Yes, that Ruth Gordon. The Oscar winner from Rosemary's Baby. The star of Harold and Maude.
She plays the Sheriff.
It was one of her final roles before she passed away in 1985. Watching a legendary actress of her stature interact with giant rubber monsters and New Wave aliens is surreal. She’s funny, sharp, and clearly having a blast being the most over-qualified person on set. She brings a level of legitimacy—or at least, delightful confusion—to the production. It’s a reminder of a time when Hollywood legends weren't afraid to do something completely insane for a paycheck and some fun.
The Villainous Turn: Michael Berryman
If you recognize Michael Berryman, it’s probably from The Hills Have Eyes or One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. He has a very distinct look due to a rare genetic condition, and he often played monsters or creeps. In Voyage of the Rock Aliens, he plays an escaped mental patient with a chainsaw.
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It’s a tonal shift that shouldn't work. One minute you're watching a colorful dance number, and the next, Berryman is stalking people like it’s a slasher flick. But in the context of this movie, it somehow makes sense. He adds a layer of genuine "what am I watching?" that keeps the audience on their toes.
Why the Ensemble Worked (In a Weird Way)
The movie was directed by James Fargo. Now, Fargo was the guy who directed Clint Eastwood in The Enforcer and Every Which Way But Loose. He wasn't exactly a "musical" guy. This disconnect between the director's gritty background and the cast's flamboyant energy is what creates the film's unique friction.
The Voyage of the Rock Aliens cast wasn't just a group of people looking for a job. They were a collision of different worlds:
- Pia Zadora’s high-glam pop ambitions.
- Craig Sheffer’s early-career hunger.
- Rhema’s genuine New Wave musicianship.
- Ruth Gordon’s old-school Hollywood pedigree.
- Michael Berryman’s horror icon status.
When you put them all together, you get a movie that feels like a collage. It’s messy. It’s disjointed. But it is never, ever boring.
The Music That Bound Them
You can't talk about the cast without the songs. The movie is basically a series of music videos strung together. "When the Rain Begins to Fall" is the big one, but "Little Bit of Heaven" and "Real Love" are equally catchy. The cast had to perform these numbers with a straight face while surrounded by some of the most questionable special effects of the era. The commitment is what sells it. If the actors had winked at the camera or acted like they were above the material, the movie would be unwatchable. Instead, they leaned in.
Where Are They Now?
People often wonder what happened to everyone after the guitar-ship flew away.
Pia Zadora eventually stepped back from the limelight but remains a cult icon. She’s occasionally popped up in Las Vegas shows, leaning into her status as a standard-bearer for a certain era of kitsch.
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Craig Sheffer, of course, became a staple of 90s cinema and TV. He’s still active, often appearing in independent films and television guest spots. He’s aged into a distinguished character actor, a far cry from the alien ABC.
As for the band Rhema, they remain a "lost" gem of the 80s synth-pop scene. Their work on the soundtrack is arguably their greatest legacy, preserved forever in the hearts of people who unironically enjoy keytars.
How to Experience the Movie Today
Finding Voyage of the Rock Aliens used to be a chore. It was out of print for years, existing only on grainy bootlegs and expensive Japanese laserdiscs. Thankfully, boutique labels like Vinegar Syndrome have given it the Blu-ray treatment, cleaning up the neon colors so they actually pop like they were meant to.
If you're going to watch it, don't go in looking for a masterpiece. Go in looking for a time capsule. Look for the way the Voyage of the Rock Aliens cast interacts with the ridiculous sets. Notice the background dancers. Pay attention to the costumes that look like they were made out of aluminum foil and dreams.
Actionable Steps for the Cult Film Fan
If you're looking to dive deeper into this specific brand of 80s insanity, here is how to do it right:
- Track down the soundtrack first. Seriously. The music is actually better than the movie’s reputation suggests. If you like New Wave, Rhema’s tracks are essential listening.
- Watch the "When the Rain Begins to Fall" music video. It’s a standalone masterpiece of 80s aesthetics featuring Jermaine Jackson and Pia Zadora in a forest. It sets the tone for the entire film.
- Look for the Vinegar Syndrome release. Don't settle for a low-res YouTube rip. The movie’s visual language is all about saturated colors and 84-era lighting; you need the high-definition version to appreciate the "art" of it.
- Pair it with other "Rock-and-Roll-Save-The-World" movies. Make it a double feature with The Apple (1980) or Rock & Rule (1983). It helps to see the context of the era where people genuinely thought music could solve interplanetary conflicts.
The reality of Voyage of the Rock Aliens is that it shouldn't exist. It’s a byproduct of a very specific moment in entertainment history where budgets were weirdly available for high-concept, low-logic projects. But because of the cast—especially the bizarre pairing of Zadora and Gordon—it remains a fascinating artifact that continues to find new fans decades later. It's a reminder that sometimes, the weirdest stuff is the stuff that sticks.
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