When death is on the horizon, can sex give you life?
In Dying for Sex, we meet Molly Kochan (Michelle Williams), a woman who receives word that the cancer that she had believed was in remission has in fact metastasized. Now, facing a diagnosis of Stage IV breast cancer, Molly decides to leave her husband—and their empty marriage—in the hopes of exploring her sexual desires. Backed by the support of her best friend, Nikki Boyer (Jenny Slate), Molly embraces her spirit of sexual adventure as she searches for hope in a world of fear.
Admittedly, a person’s cancer journey isn’t necessarily content rife with comedy. Even so, Dying for Sex manages to bring some light into the dark tunnel of terminal illness. Balancing two very different tones, Sex is joyfully chaotic in some moments and heartbreaking in others. Based on a true story (and the real Boyer’s podcast of the same name), the series is buoyed by a solid script and some truly wonderful performances.
As Molly, Williams does a good job bringing gravitas to her character. As Molly’s wrestling with her own mortality, Williams is in her sweet spot as an actress. This is the type of performance that feels genuinely raw. Whether she’s struggling with her marriage or battling physical pain, Williams has the ability to make even the most difficult of challenges feel authentic. (Though, despite her skills, one can’t help but feel like she struggles to deliver during the more comedic moments of the series.)
Having said this, it could be argued that the true MVP of Dying for Sex is Slate who absolutely sparkles throughout the series. There’s simply something about her performance that pops. Known for taking on wild characters, she brings a humour to Nikki that shines brightly. However, she’s often also underrated for her dramatic work and that is particularly noteworthy here.
After all, as Nikki, Slate has a front row seat to Molly’s cancer journey. As the series progresses, we watch as she moves from fun-loving friend to responsible caregiver. As the series progresses, she never waivers in her deep love for her friend yet the burden of maintaining treatment records and making constant doctor’s appointments weighs heavily upon her. Nikki’s role in Molly’s care leaves an indelible mark upon her, especially as her condition begins to progress.
Even so, ultimately, this isn’t a series about death. It’s a show about finding life.
Given the severity of her diagnosis, Molly is understandably trying to experience as much life as possible before her time in this life runs out. For her, the rediscovery of her body is more than just a sexual experiment. Believing that she has missed out on the best of life, the opportunity to set herself free of sexual conventions is a chance to live. This is a time to understand and celebrate the most human expression of love that can be had. (And, having been locked into an unhappy marriage, love is something that has been sorely absent from her life.)
In North American culture, sex can often be as difficult to talk about as disease. But, to Molly, it’s freedom. Every experience in the bedroom is an opportunity for her to experience the physical pleasure that has been so elusive to her. Dating apps, online zoom calls, random hookups and more all provide her a means to find herself at a time when almost everyone else in her life seems to be telling her who she needs to be.
There’s something joyfully human about watching Molly fumble through her sexual adventures (and misadventures). There’s no question that Molly’s journey is heartbreaking. However, as the series moves towards what feels inevitable, she comes alive in ways that she (and we) may not have expected. There are moments where she can’t believe what she’s been missing (and others where she can’t believe what excites her). Every moment for her feels like a personal revelation.
But, Dying for Sex doesn’t assume that sex itself is the answer either. After all, Molly’s problems don’t simply disappear. However, what it does do is show how enjoying sex helps us remember what it means to be human, especially when circumstances make it easy to forget.
All episodes of Dying for Sex is available on Disney+ on Friday, April 4th, 2025.
