What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedShowgirls
Paul Verhoeven · Film · 1995
If you loved Showgirls, start with Fosse/Verdon (Steven Levenson, 2019) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Showgirls across media.
If Showgirls grabbed you, it is because you are fascinated by the ruthless climb to success and the dark, hollow reality of fame.
Books on the same thread
Valley of the Dolls
Jacqueline Susann · Book · 1966
Explores: Fame and Addiction, Female Friendship, Hollywood.
Much like the trajectory of Nomi Malone in Showgirls, this story captures the brutal cost of stardom and the inevitable downward spiral that follows an ascent to the top.
Dubliners
James Joyce · Book · 1992
Explores: Paralysis, Epiphany, Irish Identity.
If Showgirls hit, Dubliners shares the thread.
Psycho
Robert Bloch · Book · 1959
Explores: Obsession, Mental Illness, Isolation.
If Showgirls hit, Psycho shares the thread.
Get Shorty
Elmore Leonard · Book · 1990
Explores: Fish-out-of-water, Hollywood satire, Mobster in Hollywood.
If Showgirls hit, Get Shorty shares the thread.
Series on the same thread
Hacks
Lucia Aniello · Series · 2021
Shares a thread with Showgirls: Las Vegas Culture.
This series mirrors the intense, competitive mentorship found in Showgirls, exploring the volatile power dynamics between established performers and ambitious newcomers trying to survive within the Las Vegas industry.
Fosse/Verdon
Steven Levenson · Series · 2019
Shares a thread with Showgirls: Ambition.
If the toxic creative obsession in Showgirls resonated with you, you will appreciate this look at the high-stakes, turbulent partnership between two icons who lived for the stage.
The White Lotus
Mike White · Series · 2021
Explores: Privilege, Class Conflict, Wealth Inequality.
Like the biting satire of Showgirls, this series peels back the glossy veneer of a polished environment to reveal the moral corruption and dark complexities festering beneath the surface.
Euphoria
Sam Levinson · Series · 2019
Explores: Drug Addiction, Mental Health, Teenage Angst.
Fans of the raw, unfiltered atmosphere in Showgirls will recognize the same exploration of identity and self-destruction in a world defined by excess, trauma, and the pressure of public perception.
Podcasts on the same thread
Girls Next Level
Podcast
Explores: playboy mansion, reality television, early 2000s.
This podcast provides a real-world perspective on the same industry culture depicted in Showgirls, offering a candid look at the manipulation and reality behind the glamorous facade of fame.
The Big Picture
Podcast
Explores: Hollywood, Awards Season, Film Criticism.
If Showgirls hit, The Big Picture shares the thread.
Common questions
Is Showgirls about a dancer moving to Las Vegas?
Yes, Showgirls follows Nomi Malone, who arrives in Las Vegas with no connections and begins working as an exotic dancer. She eventually competes with a headlining dancer named Cristal to secure her own position at the top of the industry.
What is the primary conflict in Showgirls?
The conflict in Showgirls centers on Nomi Malone refusing to play second fiddle to Cristal. Nomi pursues a ruthless path to the top, backstabbing anyone who stands in her way to ensure she becomes the primary headlining dancer in Las Vegas.
Does Nomi Malone succeed in Showgirls?
In Showgirls, Nomi Malone uses her talents to gain notice in the Las Vegas scene. She aggressively pursues her ambition to become the headliner, demonstrating a venomous and ruthless nature as she eliminates those who obstruct her rise to the top of the dancing world.
How does Cristal influence Nomi in Showgirls?
Cristal is a headlining dancer in Showgirls who initially notices Nomi Malone's talents. She attempts to use Nomi to bolster her own act, but this backfires when Nomi refuses to remain in a secondary role and begins her climb to replace Cristal.