Aside from netizens buzzing over the teaser for Pamela Anderson’s showbiz-inspired movie, the film’s director shared some heartwarming words about the lead actress.

The critically acclaimed teaser for “The Last Showgirl,” which hits theaters on January 10, 2025, and stars Hollywood icon Pamela Anderson, was released on November 14. Its captivating content has prompted a flurry of reactions from social media users, with some hoping the film will reap success and rewards for Anderson.

Opening up with a close-up view of a dolled-up Anderson as her showgirl character Shelley, the teaser’s start pulls viewers into the glitzy world of show business.

However, it then reveals a less glamorous side when Dave Bautista’s stage manager character, Eddie, announces, “Places, please. Places, please. This is the places call for the final performance of the ‘Razzle Dazzle.'”

As Eddie makes the announcement via an intercom, another close-up view of Shelley’s face appears onscreen. However, this time, she is noticeably less chipper than she was at the very beginning of the teaser, forcing a smile as she puts on her bejeweled headpiece with tears welling up in her eyes.

“I mean Las Vegas used to treat us like movie stars. The costumes, the sets. We were ambassadors for style and grace. The Las Vegas showgirl,” expresses Shelley as various snapshots from her life, both on and off the stage, play out.

Standout visuals depict Shelley and her fellow performers, Jodie (played by Kiernan Shipka), and Marianne (portrayed by Brenda Song), touching up their makeup and getting ready for their last act.

Amid these moments, Award-winning actress Jamie Lee Curtis, who plays Anderson’s best friend, Annette, makes an appearance as well. In one scene, she is seen laughing together with Shelley underneath the glare of the Sin City sun.

Accompanying the teaser were the smooth vocals of Grammy-Award-winning artist Miley Cyrus, who sang a song called “Beautiful That Way.” The teaser also had overlaid text with an array of raving reviews from esteemed media outlets.

“A Transformative Performance,” reads one written by The Hollywood Reporter. Another, penned by The AU Review, noted, “Pamela Anderson is an Actress Reborn.” “Poignant Grade: A,” remarked Entertainment Weekly, while IndieWire stated, “The Role of a Lifetime.”

Standing in contrast to the raving reviews, some social media users found themselves less captivated by the teaser and Anderson’s acting. “Humm? I predict THIS movie will bomb at the box office! They made the raunchy movie ‘Showgirls’ years back, and it laid a big time [sic] egg,” remarked a YouTube user.

Another netizen asserted, “She was a bad actress in the 90s. What makes us think she’s going to be a better actress now??” Agreeing with the sentiment, someone else echoed, “Her acting seems bad but I could imagine old showgirls really talking like that.”

“January release. Means the movie isn’t good. Film studios release movies January that know are going to flop [sic]. They dump their bad movies in January. It’s a dumping can for them,” added a Facebooker.

Meanwhile, a netizen, who took a more neutral stance observed, “It looks like its going to be an ok film. Im definitely going to watch it because I like those kind of movies. I do wished she had gone with a different kind of accent though because her voice sounds really irritating in the trailer [sic].” “Looks like she might have actually learned how to act… a little,” mentioned another neutral person.

“Okay…So why is she whispering all the time?” wondered a spectator, while another pointed out, “I can’t stand how ‘natural’ she wants to be nowadays.”

On the other hand, however, a social media user expressed concern for Anderson, “She looks so empty… Hollywood absolutely ruined and gutted her, along with any guy she ever dated…😢.”

Amid the criticisms and concern came praises, with one fan swooning, “I am so happy for Pamela. She deserves everything. Finally someone gave her the chance to express all her talents. Pamela we love you [sic].”

“I hope her movie is well received. Pam deserves this chance to do well! 😍,” said a fellow admirer, while another gushed, “It’ll be so epic if Pamela Anderson was to be nominated for the best actress Oscar [sic]. That would be the ultimate comeback story.” “An Oscar nomination please. Pamela [sic] we salute you 👏,” cheered a fan.

Another questioned, “Who were her people that pushed for her renaissance in recent years? They really brought it.” “She’s finally getting the recognition that she deserves,” praised someone else.

Fans are not the only ones singing Anderson’s praises, as the movie’s director, Gia Coppola, had nothing but positive things to say about the lead actress. Speaking to Entertainment Weekly earlier this month (November), Coppola dubbed Anderson as “the Marilyn Monroe of our time.”

“I find her to be a very interesting human being. She’s very intelligent and has an art background, and I could see she was a woman that [sic] was really craving to express herself as an actress creatively,” divulged the famous director.

Coppola also mentioned that she noticed a lot of “parallels” between Pamela Anderson and Shelley, but ultimately “saw this was a person that was really hungry to show her talents.”

“The Last Showgirl,” which was written by Kate Gersten and will be shown at AMC Century City on December 13, introduces viewers to the life of Shelley. She has been a Las Vegas showgirl for over 30 years and must now navigate a new life after the last traditional floor show closes.

Unlike her much younger counterparts (Song and Sherpa), Shelley is in her 50s and thus, faces different challenges that come with the closure of the show. As a result, she goes through emotional turmoil and attempts to reconnect with her daughter, whom she barely knows.

As she tries to reconcile her new reality away from the only job she has ever known, Shelley, luckily, has the support of her rambunctious, cocktail waitress best friend (Curtis).

With Coppola’s skillful direction highlighting the nuanced expressions of each character as they go through their experiences, the film “highlights the all-too-human sensitivities behind the harsh glare of those famous neon signs and stage lights.”