Shocking as it may be, it’s true: Paul Verhoeven’s erotic drama Showgirls is officially 30 years old today. And, given that showgirls of all stripes are enjoying a new moment of cultural relevancy, thanks to Taylor Swift’s upcoming album (and accompanying concept film!), there’s never been a better time to revisit it.
Speaking for myself, I was probably 11 and at a loosely supervised sleepover when I first saw Showgirls, so in many ways, cuing it up recently felt like a brand-new experience. How’d that go, you may ask? Below, find quite literally every thought I had while rewatching Showgirls.
1. Watching women hitchhike in movies will always stress me out; I am nothing if not a narc at my core.
2. I mean, Elizabeth Berkley’s Nomi can handle herself, but…I don’t trust this greaser bro who just picked her up.
3. Okay, sick, she’s got a knife.
Photo: Courtesy Everett Collection
4. The lip liner in this movie deserves its own IMDb credit.
5. Oh, Vegas, I miss you (even though my main Vegas memory involves knocking off canvassing for Hillary early to go drink in a casino because “she’ll definitely win, right?” Hindsight is 20/20!).