DYING FOR SEX. A Woman’s Path to Fulfillment [REVIEW]

In 2015, Molly Kochan‘s world turned upside down. At 42, she wasn’t yet thinking about checking off items on her bucket list—after all, who worries about such trivialities when they believe they have their whole life ahead of them? What Molly didn’t anticipate, however, was cancer. A word she previously only knew from sappy movie plots suddenly took up permanent residence in her personal vocabulary, completely reshaping her plans for the future. Her long-standing marriage had, for some time, existed only in theory, and the unexpected diagnosis only confirmed what she already knew: she didn’t want to spend her final moments with a man she no longer loved. The breakup became a turning point—aware that her time was limited, she decided to shed all her previous inhibitions. Molly made it her mission to explore her own sexual desires—those she had suppressed, been ashamed of, or relegated to the background. She documented the wild, erotic, and liberating experiences from this journey in a podcast co-hosted with her best friend, Nikki. This material served as the inspiration for a new series by Elizabeth Meriwether and Kim Rosenstock, titled Dying for Sex, now streaming on FX. The creators deliver a wildly original story full of cheeky humor, touching moments, and powerful female solidarity—a perspective on battling cancer that also addresses the societal expectations that pressure women like Molly to deny their desires.

Michelle Williams and Jenny Slate form a powerhouse feminist duo, performing with intensity from their first shared scene to a heart-wrenching goodbye, showcasing the full range of their acting prowess. In a genre often saturated with stories of illness prompting life overhauls, Dying for Sex breaks the mold. It’s playful, ironic, sometimes wonderfully bizarre, yet deeply moving—a warm tale of embracing your intimate desires no matter the circumstances or the ticking clock echoing louder in your mind.

Molly’s sex life had been in crisis long before cancer took control of her reality. During a heated therapy session with her husband Steve (Jay Duplass), she receives a call from the hospital with worrying test results—and doesn’t hesitate. From that moment, her mission becomes clear: to discover pleasure. She had never achieved orgasm with another person, and now she was determined to change that.

Williams approaches the role with remarkable sensitivity, gradually peeling back the layers of Molly’s complex character. On one hand, she completely rejects the idea of death and begins a belated sexual awakening. On the other, she struggles to stay afloat while wrestling with unhealed childhood trauma.

As Molly reminds her overprotective friend Nikki (a standout Jenny Slate!) and a new partner (Rob Delaney), she’s not looking for pity, advice, or a fairy-tale romance to wash away the pain. She simply wants sexual fulfillment. And so we follow her on this exciting journey through different styles, fetishes, and versions of sex that become a form of emotional therapy.

Though she doesn’t say it out loud at first, it quickly becomes clear what’s been blocking her from true intimacy. Dying for Sex skillfully blends comedy and drama, particularly in the bond between Molly and Nikki—deeply devoted to each other through the darkest of times. Above all, it gradually undresses the main character of all the pain she’s hidden behind the mask of the dutiful wife and accommodating daughter, forever scarred by childhood wounds.

The theme of sex and death, also explored in recent projects like Babygirl, is developed here with greater psychological depth, bolder sex scenes, and sizzling chemistry between the leads. Nikki, portrayed by the actress known from It Ends with Us, represents heroic sacrifice for a loved one—even if that means breaking up with a partner who, in light of Molly’s illness, no longer feels like a priority. The strength of sisterhood and feminist solidarity shines brighter here than in any other series in recent months.

Dying for Sex is laugh-out-loud funny, tear-jerking, and inspiring—it urges you to take action on those dreams labeled “for later.”

This uplifting story of learning how to live beautifully—regardless of how much time one has left—features a stellar Michelle Williams, who further cements her place as one of Hollywood’s finest. Alongside her, we learn how to speak openly about desires and sexual preferences and what not to do in relationships when past trauma holds us back from love and intimacy.

Meriwether and Rosenstock have crafted a guidebook for women of all ages. While it won’t replace professional therapy, it offers a helpful map for those seeking clarity on what they want in life, love, and sex—and how to reclaim their true selves from under the pile of roles imposed by a patriarchal system.

Williams, already an Emmy winner for Fosse/Verdon and five-time Oscar nominee, will almost certainly earn another nomination for her portrayal of Molly Kochan. She makes the most of the spotlight, delivering deeply emotional moments, sharp comedic timing, and unforgettable monologues. The Williams–Slate duo is so compelling, you’ll be left wanting more.

That’s why you should definitely watch Dying for Sex—a short, 8-episode series that’s perfect for a cozy evening binge. Just a warning: keep some tissues handy.