Michelle Williams And Jenny Slate Star In Hulu’s ‘Dying For Sex,’ A Bold Drama Based On A Hit Podcast
FX and Hulu’s latest drama, Dying For Sex, is based on the acclaimed Wonderly podcast of the same name, created by Nikki Boyer and Molly Kochan, which centers around Molly’s diagnosis with Stage IV breast cancer, her decision to leave an unhappy marriage, and subsequent sexual adventures in the face of a terminal illness.
The series casts Michelle Williams as Molly, and Jenny Slate provides incredible warmth and comedic relief as Nikki. Within the first fifteen minutes of the first episode, the strength of the bond between these two becomes apparent, as Molly shares her diagnosis with Nikki at a neighborhood bodega, after walking out on husband Steve in the middle of a couple’s therapy session.
Their emotional candor, depth, and support, in contrast with the strained relationship with Steve, clearly illustrates the ways that female friendships meet certain needs that romantic relationships can or do not. When Nikki responds to her friends confessions about the marriage, she tells her, “Oh my god, can he not see you? If he doesn’t want to touch you, then, like, he’s not well.” It’s the realism of this casual dialogue that immediately reminds you of your best friend, and pulls you personally into the drama asking, “What would I do if this was me?”
Molly’s answer comes in the form of a “F**k It List” (instead of a bucket list), an attempt to experience as many different kinds of pleasure before she passes, including experiences she denied herself or was too embarrassed to try in her younger years.
We see her explore her sexuality with younger men, at sex parties, and dabbling with BDSM, which means this series definitely contains explicit content, but it’s done in a way that is emotionally sincere instead of sensationalized. It’s all about the nuance and range Molly experiences dealing with death, but also reclaiming the power to express her own wants and desires throughout what remains of her life.
If you’re the kind of person who doesn’t mind diving into the deeper, darker waters of the human emotional experience, especially when it’s appropriately laced with loving humor, this show definitely deserves a spot on your watch-list.