Striptease (1996)

Last updated:
July 25, 2025

Striptease (1996) is a crime-comedy-drama with satirical overtones, directed by Andrew Bergman and based on Carl Hiaasen’s novel of the same name. The film stars Demi Moore in one of her most controversial roles, featuring a blend of political scandal, parental drama, and—yes—exotic dancing.

While it was panned by critics and often cited as a “so-bad-it’s-good” movie, Striptease has gained a certain cult status for its over-the-top tone, bizarre characters, and strange mix of genres.

Table of Contents

Detailed Summary

Erin’s Fall from Grace

Erin Grant (Demi Moore), a former FBI secretary, finds herself in dire straits after losing custody of her daughter, Angela, to her drug-abusing ex-husband. In order to fund her legal battle to regain custody, Erin starts working as a stripper at a Miami club called the Eager Beaver. This sets up one of the strangest premises in a major studio film: a mother stripping to win a custody battle.

Enter Congressman David Dilbeck

Things take a twist when Congressman David Dilbeck (Burt Reynolds), a sleazy, hypocritical Southern politician with a weakness for strippers and criminal entanglements, takes a liking to Erin. He becomes obsessed with her, leading to blackmail, murder, and political scandal.

Crime and Corruption

Erin gets entangled in a web of criminal activity that involves a murder tied to Dilbeck’s political campaign, corrupt sugar industry moguls, and a series of cover-ups. With the help of a sympathetic detective (Armand Assante as Lt. Al Garcia), she begins investigating the corruption herself, uncovering how deeply Dilbeck’s criminal network runs.

Motherhood and Stripping Don’t Mix

Amid all the chaos, Erin tries to shield her daughter from her double life while keeping herself afloat financially. These attempts fail comically and tragically at times, including scenes where her ex-husband tries to use her stripper gig against her in court.

Movie Ending

In the climax, Congressman Dilbeck’s crimes are finally exposed. Erin, using her smarts and seduction skills, lures him into a trap. During a planned private performance, she secretly records a confession of his involvement in various crimes, including murder.

The detective, Al Garcia, storms in with evidence just in time, and Dilbeck is arrested in the middle of his lewd fantasy. The scandal explodes in the media, effectively ending Dilbeck’s political career.

Erin regains full custody of her daughter. In a heartfelt final scene, she quits stripping and starts a new, stable life with Angela. Her journey from a desperate mother to a woman who takes control of her own destiny concludes on a somewhat hopeful note—albeit through a very strange path.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, Striptease does not have any post-credits scenes. Once the movie ends, the story wraps up completely without any hidden tags, teases, or bonus jokes. You can safely turn it off when the credits roll.

Type of Movie

Striptease is a crime-comedy-drama with heavy doses of satire. It juggles tones from courtroom drama to political farce to erotic thriller, often awkwardly. While it’s intended to critique the hypocrisy of American politics and morality, most viewers remember it more for its nudity than its message.

Cast

Demi Moore as Erin Grant
Burt Reynolds as Congressman David Dilbeck
Armand Assante as Lt. Al Garcia
Ving Rhames as Shad (Erin’s loyal bouncer)
Robert Patrick as Darrell Grant (Erin’s ex-husband)
Rumer Willis as Angela (Erin’s daughter — played by Moore’s real-life daughter)

Film Music and Composer

The score was composed by Howard Shore, known for his dramatic orchestral work in films like The Lord of the Rings. His involvement in Striptease is a strange footnote in his otherwise serious filmography. The soundtrack also includes club-style music and sultry tracks suited to the Eager Beaver’s scenes.

Filming Locations

Miami, Florida – Most of the movie was shot on location in Miami, giving it an authentic sleazy-glam feel. The beach scenes and club exteriors were filmed in real neighborhoods, while interior shots of the strip club were filmed on sets built to resemble seedy Florida nightlife.
The humid, neon-lit Miami setting reinforces the movie’s themes of corruption, sex, and sweaty desperation.

Awards and Nominations

Not exactly an award darling…

Won six Golden Raspberry Awards (Razzies) in 1997, including:
- Worst Picture
- Worst Actress (Demi Moore)
- Worst Supporting Actor (Burt Reynolds)
- Worst Screenplay
- Worst Director
- Worst Original Song (“Pussy, Pussy, Pussy”)

It also received a few more nominations it mercifully didn’t win.

Behind the Scenes Insights

Demi Moore was paid a then-record $12.5 million, making her the highest-paid actress at the time.
Her daughter, Rumer Willis, appears in the film as Erin’s daughter.
Burt Reynolds reportedly regretted taking the role but leaned into the absurdity, including scenes where he wears Vaseline all over his body.
To prepare for the role, Demi Moore trained extensively with real exotic dancers and even performed for live audiences during filming.
The film was heavily edited to avoid an NC-17 rating.

Inspirations and References

Based on the 1993 novel Strip Tease by Carl Hiaasen, which was much more overtly satirical and politically biting than the film.
The movie takes major liberties with the tone, turning sharp political commentary into broad comedy.
The book’s dark humor was largely lost in translation, something Hiaasen himself has commented on with disappointment.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

There were no widely released alternate endings, but the DVD includes several deleted scenes:

Extended scenes at the Eager Beaver
More development between Erin and Al Garcia (suggesting a romantic subplot that was mostly cut)
Additional moments with Angela that highlight Erin’s maternal struggles

Most cuts were made to trim the runtime and reduce the NC-17 risk.

Book Adaptations and Differences

Key Differences from the Book:

The novel is much darker, with more biting satire about American politics and media.
The movie shifts toward broad humor and erotic spectacle.
Erin in the book is more resourceful and less sexualized.
Dilbeck is more sinister in the novel; in the movie, he’s almost cartoonish.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

Erin’s first performance at the Eager Beaver—a stylized dance that shocks and impresses.
Dilbeck’s bizarre strip club visit where he throws money and mutters religious nonsense.
The courtroom scene where Erin loses custody of her daughter.
The finale where Dilbeck is caught in the act and arrested.

Iconic Quotes

Erin: “I don’t dance for politicians.”
Shad: “I’ll break his legs. That’s how much I care.”
Dilbeck: “I do not get erections. God has seen fit to deny me that particular pleasure.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

Erin’s stripper name is never officially given in the movie, but in the book, it’s “Erotica.”
The names of the club patrons are often parodies of real-life politicians.
Look closely: Dilbeck’s campaign posters are full of subliminal messages (e.g., “Family Values!” while he’s groping someone).

Trivia

Despite the film’s failure, the novel saw a boost in sales.
The film made over $113 million worldwide, largely due to curiosity about Demi Moore’s role.
The movie holds a 13% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
The stripper pole scenes were choreographed by professionals from real clubs.
The film was originally going to be more faithful to the novel, but studio pressure led to a more “marketable” tone.

Why Watch?

You should watch Striptease if:

You love watching big-budget disasters that take themselves just seriously enough to be hilarious.
You’re curious how a major studio could spend millions on a movie about exotic dancing and somehow make it less sexy than a political ad.
You want to see Demi Moore at her most infamous.
You enjoy satirical jabs at corrupt politicians… even if they’re delivered through Vaseline-covered Burt Reynolds.

Director’s Other Movies

Honeymoon in Vegas (1992)
The Freshman (1990)
It Could Happen to You (1994)
Isn’t She Great (2000)

Striptease (1996)