Popular reviews

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  Review by matt lynch ★★★★

  Really, really good. Typically this sort of thing is remedial and/or completely irritating for me, but this not only falls on the right side of history -- that yes, SHOWGIRLS is as valuable as any of Verhoeven's other works -- but it opens up the conversation to other aspects of that value that I wasn't really immersed in before (specifically but not limited to its queer readings), and how many things this alleged trash means to how many different people and in how many different ways, and that's setting aside its not-infrequent insights into Verhoeven's career.

  Full disclosure, David Schmader, a wonderful person who of course is featured heavily in this, was years ago my occasional editor at The Stranger and once he called me a "SHOWGIRLS truther."

  Anyway Elizabeth Berkley rules, good for her.

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  Review by Cory ★★★

  An overall decent doc that provides different perspectives and background on the strange anomaly that is Showgirls. I feel like I have a little bit more of an appreciation for it now than I did before. My initial viewing gave me the feeling of whiplash with it's manic tone and alien-like dialogue that had me exhausted by the end of it. It was so entertaining, confusing, frustrating, audacious, and hilarious all at once—but I was never bored. I'm keeping Showgirls at a mixed 3 for now, but feel like it'll slowly go up with each subsequent viewing now that I know what to (or not to) expect out of it.

  I wouldn't be surprised if I have reoccurring nightmares about Kyle MacLachlan's fucking awful haircut from now on, too... Truly haunting stuff.

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  Review by {Todd} ★★★

  "It's just so much more than you think" -Fan,

  If you don't like Showgirls you are wrong, but that's okay I still like you.

  This is one of the best documentaries about a movie that I have seen in some time in part because it actually includes voices that don't like aspects of the movie and/or still think it's bad. It adds great context for a film that is a love letter to Showgirls, but also a thoughtful analysis of Showgirls. Discussions include:

  - initial and enduring hatred of the film
  - the cult of Elizabeth Berkley
  - camp: what it means and where it is
  - criticism of the sexual assault scene
  - feminist and queer interpretations of the…

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  Review by Jack ★★★★ 6

  You Don’t Nomi is an exploration of the aftermath of Showgirls, touching on many people’s varying reactions to the film and the later impact it would come to have. It’s not the rudimentary “this famously trashed movie doesn’t suck and here’s my hour and a half long explanation why” type of film doc; rather, McHale wants his audience to see this cult classic from the eyes of someone they maybe don’t agree with — whether that be from someone who hates the film or someone who loves it. It’s quite an eye-opening experience and one that’s also a helluva good time. Definitely a must-watch for any fans of Showgirls or of Paul Verhoeven in general!

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  Review by Liz 6

  Room 237, but a whole lot less cringey.

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  Review by Shane Craig ★★★★ 1

  Was fortunate enough to see this tonight having bought tickets last week. I have to say, I would’ve preferred to watch this alone. Esztherhas’ interview that’s shown in the film I of course had already seen, but I could’ve done without the sea of people giggling. Tonight’s audience seemed to latch onto every opinion that wasn’t “this sucks” as a big joke. And there are many times in this film where the commentators are so passionate in their hatred for the movie, and then moments later we’re watching Adam Nayman refer to these same people as “fucking morons” (rightfully so). Nayman, author of It Doesn’t Suck, is someone I have a huge amount of respect and admiration for. His defense…

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  Review by B E R T ★★★★

  Showgirls, the cult masterpiece. You Don’t Nomi is essential viewing for not only Showgirls fans but film fans in general. I’ve seen Showgirls countless times in my life and yet I learnt new things about the film after watching this, it’s truly a fantastic look at one of the most unforgettable, and best, films of our time.

  I’ve not seen a documentary like this before, no talking heads, just voiceover on top of so many great scenes from Paul Verhoeven’s filmography and plenty of other fantastic so bad they’re good movies. I love that the documentary takes note of the fact that after almost 25 years we are still talking and obsessing about Showgirls, yet all the “good” movies from…

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  Review by Sofa Sinema ★★★★

  It's rare that I can actually credit Letterboxd itself for a recommendation, but here it is. They were pimping Nomi right on the homepage and it was worth a read because this is a thoroughly inspired bit of appreciation and academic critique of the most infamous NC-17 release of all time, Showgirls. There's a bit too much of the usual wankery and claptrap you'd expect from critics and film profs, but it's just wild to recognize how much this film has endured. The documentary does some deep dives into the fan culture and the genesis of the movie (like Nomi Malone's multilayered connection to Saved by the Bell's Jessie Spano) and I like that it borrows the visual innovations and editing techniques of Room 237, which is so much cooler than a standard talking heads approach. Love it or hate it, Showgirls deserves the attention. 8.3/10

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  Review by Scarlett Worthington ★★★★

  “You cannot give it its due by simply praising it or simply condemning it”

  An interesting documentary that offers a surprisingly detailed history of the film and how it grew to be a cult classic and misunderstood masterpiece after its initial bashing. 

  I was glad to learn more about the director, Paul Verhoeven, as well. His journey to Hollywood along with his attitude and approach to his films really solidifies him as one of the greats. 

  Recommend if you’ve seen Showgirls. This is a worthwhile watch if you like or dislike the film.

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  Review by robyn ★★★

  I would like it to be known that the woman who says ‘women wouldn’t want to inflict more pain into the world by beating up rapists’ doesn’t speak for me ty x

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  Review by Bob McCully ★★★★ 15

  I absolutely live for this kinda dissection of a film, where various levels of love and disdain twist your perspective into a thousand shapes. Showgirls will never not be a *bad movie* but it will also forever be a total anomaly of pulpy sweaty cinema that revels in its maniacal camp and edge.
  Some things can exist in both realms, some things can be shunned and praised and feed off of both forces like it's pure oxygen to the cultic status of this fiery trash.

  This doc does get very heavy at times, particularly when it approaches the subject of sexual assault, so just a heads up on that. Otherwise - highly recommend you dive in.

  P.S. It also made me realize my own dream project: a documentary that dissects the brilliance of Bob in House By The Cemetery.

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  Review by Andre de Nervaux ★★★½

  Just to recap:

  SHOWGIRLS IS EVERYTHING.