Showgirls (1995) Ending Explained
TL;DR:
The ending of Showgirls (1995) sees Nomi Malone, a stripper turned Las Vegas showgirl, achieving her dream of becoming the star of the "Goddess" show after sabotaging her rival, Cristal Connors. However, her victory is hollow-she realizes the toxicity of the industry and abandons her fame, leaving Vegas with her friend Molly. The film concludes with Nomi hitchhiking out of town, symbolizing her rejection of the exploitative world she once coveted. The ending critiques the emptiness of fame and the cost of ambition in a cutthroat environment.
Detailed Explanation:
The climax of Showgirls revolves around Nomi's ruthless ascent to the top of the Vegas showgirl hierarchy. After enduring humiliation, exploitation, and betrayal, she finally replaces Cristal as the lead in the "Goddess" show-partly by orchestrating Cristal's downfall (pushing her down a staircase). However, Nomi's triumph is undercut by her growing disillusionment. The glittering world of Vegas, which once seemed like paradise, reveals itself as a hollow, morally bankrupt trap. Her final performance, while technically flawless, feels emotionally vacant, mirroring her inner turmoil. The film suggests that Nomi's ambition has cost her humanity, leaving her isolated despite her success.
Unresolved Questions & Possible Answers:
1. Does Nomi regret her actions?
- Possibly: Her decision to leave Vegas implies remorse, but the film leaves her motivations ambiguous.
- No: She may simply be fleeing the consequences rather than reflecting on her choices.
2. What happens to Cristal after her fall?
- The film implies she survives but is permanently injured, ending her career.
- Alternatively, her fate is left open-she could return or fade into obscurity.
3. Is Nomi's departure a happy ending?
- Yes: She escapes a toxic environment.
- No: She's left with no money or direction, suggesting cyclical struggle.
Personal Opinion:
Showgirls is often dismissed as campy or excessive, but its ending is surprisingly poignant. Nomi's arc-from wide-eyed ambition to jaded resignation-works as a scathing critique of the entertainment industry's exploitation of women. The finale, where she trades stardom for freedom, feels earned despite the film's over-the-top tone. While the execution is flawed (the dialogue and acting are frequently jarring), the message about the price of fame resonates. Director Paul Verhoeven's satirical edge is often lost beneath the film's sensationalism, but the ending underscores his intent: fame is a gilded cage.
Final Thoughts:
The ending of Showgirls is a bleak commentary on the American dream. Nomi's journey-from stripping to stardom to self-exile-mirrors the cyclical nature of exploitation in entertainment. Her hitchhiking departure is symbolic: she's free but directionless, having shed her illusions but gained little wisdom. The film's excesses (the infamous pool sex scene, the melodramatic confrontations) distract from its core themes, but the finale lingers. It's a flawed but fascinating conclusion to a film that's both reviled and revered-a fitting end for a movie that defies easy categorization.
Why It Matters:
Despite its reputation as a "bad movie," Showgirls has endured as a cult classic precisely because of its unflinching portrayal of ambition's dark side. The ending refuses to offer easy redemption, making it more subversive than many give it credit for. Nomi doesn't get a fairy-tale resolution; she gets reality-a stark contrast to the glittering fantasy she once chased. In that sense, Showgirls is a brutal, if uneven, indictment of the systems that chew up and spit out dreamers.