Pamela Anderson Is 'Heartbreaking' and 'Sensational' in The Last Showgirl: See the First Reviews Out of Toronto

Pamela Anderson is back on the big screen!

After Anderson's new movie The Last Showgirl made its world premiere at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival on Wednesday, Sept. 4, critics are offering their thoughts on the Baywatch alum's first movie role since 2022.

Kate Erbland for IndieWire called the Gia Coppola-directed movie about a Las Vegas showgirl facing reinvention "both the role of a lifetime for Anderson, one that can fully capture her incredible emotional intensity and vulnerability, and (we can only hope) the start of a brand new career for her."

Dubbing Anderson, 57, "a heartbreaking presence" onscreen, she wrote of her character, Shelley, "It’s a full meal of a role." Meanwhile, supporting star Jamie Lee Curtis, playing Shelley's friend Annette, "is a dynamo of comedic timing."

Alex Hudson of Exclaim declared, "The Pamaissance is here," adding that "Anderson's performance is effective if slightly one-note, with childlike naïveté that flips over into emotional outbursts... the wordless shots of Shelley dancing and smoking against the backdrop of the Vegas are particularly sad and romantic."

"It's heartbreaking to watch Anderson's character reckon with the life she chose for herself, even as she remains steadfast in her love of the craft" of dancing as a showgirl, wrote Graeme Guttmann in a review for Screen Rant. The movie is "a crowning moment for Anderson, deservedly so."

Pete Hammond of Deadline called the star's work "sensational" and "remarkable," adding that the film "does meander a bit only to then stand and deliver another knockout scene and acting showcase for Anderson... She will break your heart."

"Pamela Anderson is excellent in THE LAST SHOWGIRL, a film that I otherwise did not connect with," FandomWire critic Sean Boelman posted on X (formerly Twitter). Sara Clements of nextbestpicture.com called the star's turn "an emotional and powerful performance" on X.

In another X post Brian Rowe of The Awards Contender and GoldDerby called Anderson's performance "wonderful," adding, "the cinematography beautifully capturing Las Vegas. And OMG, prepare yourself for a wildly memorable supporting turn by Jamie Lee Curtis!"

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Anderson was first announced as leading the movie, which also stars Dave Bautista, Brenda Song, Kiernan Shipka and Billie Lourd, back in February. The movie is written by Kate Gersten.

"Shelley (Anderson) has been a Las Vegas showgirl for over 30 years, the feather and crystal–adorned centrepiece of Sin City’s last remaining traditional floor show," reads an official synopsis.

Anderson most recently appeared onscreen as the subject of her producer son Brandon Lee’s 2023 documentary, Pamela, A Love Story, which received two Emmy Awards nominations.

After The Last Showgirl, the actress is next expected to appear in the next Naked Gun movie, which reboots the franchise with Liam Neeson in the lead role.

The Toronto International Film Festival runs through Sept. 15.