Pamela Anderson delivers a career best performance in The Last Showgirl, but her next role will call upon a completely different talent from the character drama. Known best for her breakout role in Baywatch, Pamela Anderson has remained a fixture of pop-culture for decades even if she hasn’t always received the respect she deserves. Shows like Pam & Tommy have capitalized on her story, while the actor herself has consistently worked in the industry since 1990. However, her latest performance, released almost thirty-five years after her screen debut, highlights her full talent.

The Last Showgirl has won Pamela Anderson the best reviews of her career, even earning her a Golden Globe and SAG Award Nominations for Best Actress. It’s been an impressive showing from Anderson, and speaks to her true potential as a dramatic actor. While she does have dramatic films currently in the works (like Karim Aïnouz’s upcoming adaptation of Rosebush Pruning), Anderson’s next film in 2025 is a far cry from her dramatic work in The Last Showgirl.

The Last Showgirl Proves Pamela Anderson Can Be A Great Dramatic Actress

The Last Showgirl Only Works Because Of Pamela Anderson’s Performance

The Last Showgirl highlights Pamela Anderson’s skills as a dramatic actor, and is a far cry from the skills she’ll utilize in upcoming films like The Naked Gun. The Last Showgirl focuses on Shelly, a dancer in Las Vegas whose classic revue is shut down after decades of being on the strip. The film is an unflinching character study, highlighting the sweet aspects of her personality while refusing to brush aside her more selfish and judgmental qualities. Shelly is a fully realized character, a woman whose pᴀssion has driven her for years in a field that’s now left her behind.

Anderson is phenomenal in the role, giving a fantastic performance that is at times frustrating and pitiful, but never unrealistic. Shelly is a deeply flawed but ultimately good person, whose worst qualities may complicate her relationships but never burn them down. It’s a deceptively tricky character, but Anderson brings a grounded warmth and sense of empathy to the character. Shelly could be unlikable in the wrong hands, but Anderson imbues her with a genuine sense of internal struggle that makes her effortlessly compelling. It’s a fantastic performance, proving Pamela Anderson’s talents at drama.

Pamela Anderson’s Next Movie After The Last Showgirl Is A Liam Neeson-Starring Comedy Remake

The Last Showgirl Seems Like An Inherently Different Film Than The Naked Gun

Pamela Anderson’s next movie, however, is set to show off a different set of acting skills. Anderson is set to appear in 2025’s remake of The Naked Gun. The modern take on cartoonish police parody, directed by The Lonely Island member Akiva Schaffer, brings in Liam Neeson to replace Leslie Nielsen. The actor’s dramatic chops and experience with the action genre quietly making him perfect for the franchise’s straight-faced approach to absurd comedy.

Anderson’s role is currently unknown in the film, but her spot in the cast list suggests it’ll be an important role. Anderson could appear as a love interest to Nielsen’s version of Frank Drebin Jr., or potentially prove to be the film’s central antagonist. Regardless, it’s exciting to see Anderson in more big-budget fare, especially given the justified accolades she’s received for her work in The Last Showgirl. The different genres also highlight Anderson’s versatility as an actor, which could be a promising turn given her clear career resurgence.

Naked Gun Can Help Show Another Side To Pamela Anderson’s Acting Ability

Pamela Anderson Isn’t A Stranger To Comedy

Pamela Anderson’s commitment to drama in The Last Showgirl highlights her ability to embody a character completely, something that could come in handy for The Naked Gun. The comedy franchise only works when the performers are fully engrossed and committed to their goofy take on the cop genre, as seen in the original series. Anderson’s dramatic chops might not be fully called upon for The Naked Gun, but this does suggest she has the ability to fully lean into whatever character she’s playing and bring them to vivid life, even if the film around her is ridiculous.

Notably, this won’t be Anderson’s first experience with comedy. Anderson’s appearances in films like Scary Movie 3 and shows like Stripperella highlight that she’s familiar with the genre, and her recent showcase in The Last Showgirl makes it exciting to see her in new projects period. While The Naked Gun is likely to be a different beast entirely from The Last Showgirl, it’s a great chance for the actress to showcase her versatility and capitalize on her most critically acclaimed role ever. The Last Showgirl proved Anderson is great with dramatic roles, but her next big comedic performance could elevate her renewed career into plenty of new directions.