From box office bomb to bonafide cult classic — we’re talking Showgirls.
This week on Slept-On Cinema, GrobeStreet and Stan Steamer are joined by film critic and author Adam Nayman (It Doesn’t Suck: Showgirls) to break down one of the most infamous films of the '90s. What begins as an NC-17 Vegas fever dream becomes a whip-smart commentary on power, performance, and exploitation — if you’re willing to look past the glitter (and the pool scene).
We dive into:
- Why Showgirls was misunderstood from the start
- How Elizabeth Berkley gave everything in the role of Nomi Malone
- Paul Verhoeven’s chaos-vision in full effect
- And what it means to revisit the film through a modern lens
BOLOs (Be On the Lookout):
- That shrimp-eating scene
- Kyle MacLachlan’s perma-smirk
- The most aggressive lap dance in cinematic history
- “Must be weird, not having anybody come on you...”
- Any moment with Henrietta “Mama” Bazoom
Drink Pairing: A frozen neon-colored daiquiri you regret halfway through.
Where to Watch: Prime Video, Apple TV, or your local ironic film club.
This episode is everything Showgirls is: wild, messy, strangely brilliant — and unforgettable.
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