Loud comeback of Pamela Anderson: `The Last Showgirl` — a flop or a victory?

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In the new film "The Last Showgirl" (2025), Pamela Anderson returns to the screen no longer as a sex symbol, but as a dramatic actress. The role is the lead, the image is unrecognizable. While some call her performance a breakthrough, others wrinkle their noses in boredom. So, is this a second wind or a final chord?

From Playboy to Drama: Anderson Surprises

"The Last Showgirl" directed by Gia Coppola is the story of Shelly, a former Las Vegas dancer, who after 30 years on stage tries to start anew while also mending her relationship with her daughter. This intimate drama about acceptance, motherhood, and fragile hope for a second chance immediately caught the attention of critics and audiences.
Actress Pamela Anderson without makeup, dressed in a beige sweater
Pamela Anderson
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And it's no surprise. here is not the glamorous Playboy icon, but an ordinary woman with weariness in her eyes, insecurities, and painful memories. This complete transformation is perhaps what makes the film most compelling.

Unexpected Transformation

Critics emphasize that Anderson, for the first time in a long while, is acting rather than posing. Without unnecessary grandeur, with piercing honesty and even self-irony. Her character is not a caricature but a living, vulnerable woman, in whose portrayal the personal story of the actress herself is easily read.

"No one could play Shelley the way Anderson does. She is heartbreaking, charming, truthful," says film critic Sheila O'Malley. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has more than 80% "freshness," and even those who were skeptical about the comeback of the famous blonde acknowledge: this is her most sincere role of her entire career.
Pamela Anderson in an outfit made of blue and turquoise feathers, beads, and rhinestones
Scene from the film "The Last Showgirl"
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What's Wrong?

Anderson's strong performance doesn't save "The Last Showgirl" from obvious flaws—the script sags in places, and the pacing seems too slow. On IMDb, the film has only 6.5 points, and opinions are divided: some call the movie "tender and thoughtful," while others complain that it's "formulaic, doesn't take risks, and doesn't delve into the psychology of the main character."

Moreover, the film couldn't avoid comparisons to "Showgirls" (1995)—the backstage life theme is too similar, as is the title. Many viewers perceived this as a deliberate reference to the scandalous '90s drama, but without irony—taking on a new, much more serious tone.

Reinterpretation and Candor

It is worth mentioning that this film is a natural continuation of Pamela Anderson's new image. In recent years, she has consciously given up plastic surgery and stopped wearing makeup in public, becoming a symbol of natural aging.
The Last Showgirl – Trailer
This is exactly how the actress appears in "The Last Showgirl": unretouched and unmasked, in a portrayal that reflects her current self-perception. It's not just an artistic choice, but a powerful statement. In the age of gloss and filters, this comes across as unexpectedly fresh and sincere.

A Film Without Grand Titles, but with Great Meaning

The film wasn't nominated for an Oscar, but Anderson isn't worried about it. "I didn't expect it. As I always say, the victory is in the work. I had to do what I truly love. I needed to do it for the soul," the actress told Elle magazine.
Pamela Anderson in a lilac dress with rhinestones and feathers holds a script in her hands and looks at the camera over her glasses
Pamela Anderson on the set of 'The Last Showgirl'
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So, should you watch the film? It depends on what you're expecting. If you're looking for a spectacular drama in the spirit of 'Black Swan'—skip it. This is not a psychological thriller or an entertaining show, but an intimate confession to be watched in silence.

But if you're interested in seeing Pamela in a way you've never known her before—then 'The Last Showgirl' definitely deserves your attention. Yes, the film came out imperfect. But perhaps that's exactly where its truth lies.
Are you ready to see a completely different Pamela Anderson? If you've already watched 'The Last Showgirl', how did you rate her comeback? Let's discuss in the comments!