Dying for Sex, an eight-episode dramedy arriving on Hulu this Friday, takes a raw and unflinching look at a woman’s journey to reclaim her body and her desires after receiving a terminal cancer diagnosis. Michelle Williams stars as Molly, a woman who, after learning her cancer is in Stage 4, decides to leave her passionless marriage and embark on a journey of sexual liberation.
The series, based on the real-life experiences of Molly Kochan (who passed away in 2019), follows Molly as she seeks pleasure in all forms, including some adventurous experimentation with bondage, vibrators, and new sexual encounters. Her journey begins with a bold step: breaking away from a mundane couple’s therapy session and into a world of spontaneous, uninhibited exploration. As her medication stirs up a new level of horniness, Molly dives headfirst into uncharted territories, including a marathon masturbation session with various erotica and an unexpected series of sexual escapades. With only five years left to live, she reasons, “Nothing matters,” and she pursues pleasure without hesitation.
Dying for Sex weaves humor and drama together, blending moments of irreverence with deep emotional undertones. Molly’s search for pleasure is not without its complications, as she faces physical deterioration due to her cancer. A particularly humorous yet poignant moment in the series shows her kicking her neighbor, played by Rob Delaney, in the penis—only to break her hip as a result. The show mixes bold humor with deeper themes of mortality, trauma, and self-discovery.
While the series delves into Molly’s unrelenting pursuit of sex, it also explores the profound scars left by past trauma. The show touches on the emotional impact of Molly’s childhood sexual abuse, with the ghostly presence of her abuser haunting her throughout her journey. The exploration of this trauma is key to Molly’s journey toward self-empowerment and healing, as she works to assert control over her body and the touch of others. As she gets closer to death, her acceptance of both her cancer diagnosis and the shame of her past becomes an act of personal liberation.
The series, based on the Dying for Sex podcast created by Molly Kochan and her best friend Nikki Boyer, was adapted for television by Kim Rosenstock and Elizabeth Meriwether. The emotional weight of the show relies heavily on Michelle Williams’ captivating performance as Molly, who embodies the paradox at the heart of the series: a woman growing weaker physically while gaining strength in her emotional and sexual independence.
Other standout performances include Esco Jouléy as Sonya, Molly’s insightful palliative care social worker, and Rob Delaney, whose sexual and social charisma creates a fascinating dynamic with Williams’ character. While some elements of the show, like the quirky character of Nikki (played by Jenny Slate), can feel a bit familiar, Jouléy’s portrayal of Sonya provides a grounded and nuanced contrast, adding depth to the narrative.
In a particularly moving moment, the series concludes with a monologue from Paula Pell, who plays a hospice worker explaining the process of dying to Molly. It’s a moment of clarity, blending the mundane with the mystical, offering an emotional, unsentimental perspective on the reality of death and the human body.
In its exploration of sex, trauma, and mortality, Dying for Sex is a bold, audacious look at the complexities of life when time is running out. The show challenges conventional ideas about pleasure, pain, and the human body, offering both humor and poignancy in equal measure.
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