Kyle MacLachlan Celebrates Elizabeth Berkley’s Recognition as Showgirls Marks Its 30th Anniversary

From Left: Kyle MacLachlan in September 2017; and Elizabeth Berkley in June 2017.
Credit:

GP Images/Getty; Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic

NEED TO KNOW

• Kyle MacLachlan acknowledges the “newfound” appreciation for Showgirls and commends costar Elizabeth Berkley for receiving credit for the film.
• He notes that she “took a pretty hard knock” during the movie’s initial release, which was met with harsh reviews in 1995.
• Berkley states she is “not a victim” of the film while celebrating its 30th anniversary.

As Showgirls marks its 30th anniversary this year, Kyle MacLachlan reflects on the shifting perceptions of the 1995 erotic drama that initially faced widespread criticism upon its release.

“It’s really nice to see Elizabeth [Berkley] get some credit and sort of relish in this newfound love for the film,” said MacLachlan, 66, while promoting season 2 of the Prime Video series Fallout.

Directed by Paul Verhoeven, Showgirls follows the journey of a young woman pursuing her ambitions in Las Vegas as a showgirl and dancer. Berkley, fresh from her role in Saved by the Bell, portrayed the aspiring drifter Nomi Malone, while MacLachlan played Zack Carey, a casino entertainment director, alongside Gina Gershon as Cristal Connors, the casino’s lead dancer.

Despite its initial NC-17 rating and negative reviews, Showgirls struggled at the box office when it debuted on September 22, 1995. Berkley, now 53, reflected on the criticism she faced, stating, “I took a beating, guys. It was not fun for a little while. I’m not going to lie. It was painful. I was isolated. I felt abandoned by the very people I collaborated with.”

From Left: Kyle Maclachlan and Elizabeth Berkley in ‘Showgirls’.

Moviestore/Shutterstock

MacLachlan himself distanced from the film early on, admitting to the AV Club in 2012 that he was “absolutely gobsmacked” after viewing a pre-release cut. “You somehow try to convince yourself that it’s going to get better… and it just gets worse,” he noted.

However, he also recognized the film’s evolving status. “Now, of course, it has a whole other life,” he remarked. “It’s inadvertently funny. So it’s found its place. It provides entertainment, though not in the way I think it was originally intended.”

Over the years, Showgirls has developed a cult following, with fans embracing it as a guilty pleasure. Berkley has since reclaimed her narrative, participating in a national screening tour to celebrate the film’s anniversary.

“I’m not a victim. I never have been a victim. I never will be a victim,” Berkley declared during a recent screening. She praised the dedicated fan base that emerged despite initial criticisms, stating, “Because of your love and your embrace of this film, in the face of that vitriolic cruelty from journalists and industry people, we are sharing a meaningful evening together.”

Reflecting on the past, MacLachlan acknowledged, “She took a pretty hard knock on that. So it’s nice to see that she’s kinda emerged from it and found a place of comfort with it.” He mentioned he and Berkley have discussed the film’s resurgence, and added, “It seems like she has a place of comfort for it.”

From Left: Kyle MacLachlan and Elizabeth Berkley in ‘Showgirls’.

Murray Close/Sygma/Sygma via Getty

Both actors have pursued varied careers since Showgirls, and currently find themselves involved in prominent TV projects. Berkley recently appeared in an episode of All’s Fair, a legal drama by Ryan Murphy, while MacLachlan is busy with projects including Overcompensating, Lowdown, and the second season of Fallout, in which he plays vault leader Hank MacLean. Season 2 premieres on December 16, following MacLean’s journey to New Vegas as part of a larger corporate mission post-nuclear fallout.

MacLachlan expressed excitement about his role in Fallout, calling the video game’s world “rich and immersive.” He added, “The writers have given Hank such a wonderful role. There are just so many aspects to his personality that I really enjoy and I want to hit each one.” The actor noted the challenge and joy of bringing complexity to the character.

New episodes of Fallout are streaming now, with releases slated every Wednesday through February 4, 2026.