‘Showgirls’ Star Elizabeth Berkley Says Cult Classic Was ‘Way Ahead of Its Time’

It was the first NC-17 film to be given a wide release in theaters. While it was critically panned when it premiered in 1995 and is often named as one of the worst films ever made, “Showgirls” maintains a cult following.

“Honestly if I had to play Nomi and go through what I went through in 1995 to give you Nomi I would do it again, again and again,” Berkley said, adding, “Here’s the thing, we are here 30 years later – which is crazy – and you guys didn’t just embrace it, you rescued it. You have elevated it. You’ve made this movie what it is and what it was intended to be and I’m forever grateful.”

Berkley spoke about why she thinks “Showgirls” resonates with so many queer people.

“It’s about vindication, reclamation and it’s about owning our truths and owning our stories and not waiting for someone else to approve it, get it, to validate it, to just own who you are like Nomi and be brave and bold,” Berkley said. “I will forever have your back the way you had mine and I love that this film has brought you joy, too. It was way ahead of its time. Way, way, way ahead of its time. But I am so grateful for you.”

Berkley signed autographs after the screening, with proceeds benefiting The Los Angeles LGBT Center and The Trevor Project.

I'm glad she appreciates the fame it brought her.

I’m watching the movie right now for the 1,445,678th time and it’s still the best.

I love her and the movie but let's not get carried away.

I don’t think it was ahead of its time, it’s a total time capsule of 90s culture. Everything about it is 90s.

BUT possibly ahead of its time because the message is way more in line with today’s culture.

In the 90s it was a sleazy campy movie. Today you can find the feminism and way we look at society today a little bit more in it.

DIFFERENT PLACES!!! (Throws basket of fries)

I’ve never watched it…. do I lose my card now?

It’s a piece of trash that people enjoy for that reason. It’s not “ahead of its time”. Come on, Elizabeth. Too many caffeine pills?

Calm down dear.

[quote]‘Showgirls’ Star Elizabeth Berkley Says Cult Classic Was ‘Way Ahead of Its Time’

Any day now.

No Liz. Showgirls was a crass money grab made by the same group who hit the jackpot with BASIC INSTINCT.

It's airing this month on Paramount+

I'm amazed no one has ever done her for Snatch Game in full Nomi. Or Gina Gershon for that matter. Ru would love it.

showgirls is usually available for viewing on tubi. it's an outrageously bad b movie. it looks better on the small screen and is less obnoxious than seeing in it in a movie theater.

lots of things are wrong with this film, too many to mention.

its sleazy and joyless. basic instinct is joyless and FUN. the leads in basic instinct had chemistry with each other.

basic instinct is sleazy (not joyless) and FUN.

The movies biggest flaw is the rape and beating of the one decent character in the film. It's pretty brutal.

The biggest flaw is Elizabeth playing a stripper and head-lining showgirl with an ass as flat as a pancake.

Movies like “Showgirls” and “Mommie Dearest” are technically bad movies but they are not BAD.

“Gigli” is bad. That is a movie that’s hard to get through the first time you never want to see it again.

That is not “Showgirls”.

R16 The flaw was that she didn’t get revenge on all 3 guys! She beat up the rock star and then just walked by his bodyguards.

I finally watched it because of Datalounge. It was sordid and over the top, as if directed by Russ Meyer or Bob Guccione or someone. Just 'off' (I fast-forwarded through some of it).

Elizabeth looks gorgeous, though- and all during it you can just see her career spiralling down the drain.