Common Sense Media Review
By Monique Jones
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Touching, mature character study combats ageism.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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The Last Showgirl
What's the Story?
THE LAST SHOWGIRL follows Shelly (Pamela Anderson), an aging showgirl who has lived out her dreams for decades, performing nightly on the Las Vegas strip. But reality starts crashing in when she hears that her show is set to close after a multi-decade run. This forces her to face how her age, the changing times, and her relationship with her somewhat estranged daughter, Hannah (Billie Lourd), have affected her life.
Is It Any Good?
This drama expands a simple premise—a showgirl who could be seen as past her prime is faced with the reality that she's aged out of her industry—into a sincere, wholehearted character study. The Last Showgirl allows Anderson to present herself in a vulnerable way that's unlike anything else viewers have seen in her career. She seems to be bringing a lot of her own experiences as a 1990s bombshell to the role: Much of what Shelly goes through in the film feels like it parallels Anderson's own professional life. Because of this, Anderson imbues life and compassion into how she approaches Shelly's (sometimes questionable) life decisions.
Her co-stars, including Dave Bautista, Brenda Song, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Kiernan Shipka, also give warm, thoughtful performances in roles that could easily have been reduced to one-note characters. Bautista in particular demonstrates why many fans are rooting for his genuine approach to his acting career. While he doesn't completely disappear into his role, his work does implore viewers to take him seriously. Overall, The Last Showgirl is a gentle exploration of what it's like to come of age in your later years.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how The Last Showgirl promotes empathy. Did you feel empathy for Shelly while watching? Why, or why not?
How does Hannah learn to empathize with Shelly? How does their relationship compare to other mother-daughter pairs you've seen in movies or on television?
What messages does the film have about how middle-aged women are seen and treated in society?
Does Shelly come to terms with the direction of her life? Why, or why not?
Movie Details
- In theaters : December 13, 2024
- On DVD or streaming : February 18, 2025
- Cast : Pamela Anderson , Jamie Lee Curtis , Dave Bautista , Billie Lourd
- Director : Gia Coppola
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Asian Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Roadside Attractions
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Friendship
- Character Strengths : Empathy
- Run time : 85 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : language and nudity
- Awards : BAFTA - BAFTA Nominee , Golden Globe - Golden Globe Award Nominee
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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