“Dying for Sex” follows a woman in her forties who, after receiving a terminal cancer diagnosis, leaves her husband and embarks on a journey of experimental sex. But it’s about so much more than that. By the end, the numerous and varied sex scenes feel almost incidental.
This is partly because the series offers no false hope. None of the erotic escapades truly allow an escape from reality. Based on a true story—and the podcast about Molly Kochan’s choice to pack years of sexual exploration into the limited time she had left after a metastatic breast cancer diagnosis—every experience, whether enjoyable or not, is shadowed by the inevitable outcome. This context frames all the scenes: sex parties, age-gap hookups, discovering “pup play,” and mastering the tricky latches on cock cages in her quest for her first partnered orgasm.
It’s also because, through a clever, tender, and darkly comic script by Elizabeth Meriwether and Kim Rosenstock, along with Michelle Williams’ deeply nuanced performance as Molly, the series evolves into a meditation on what it means to live well and die well. It continually expands definitions, starting with sex itself. “You early millennials are so tragic,” says Sonya, a Gen Z member of Molly’s care team. “You think sex is just penetration. Why? Because that’s what Samantha said?” The show casually dismantles a sacred Sex and the City trope, helping Molly broaden her understanding of sex and gradually answer a question that initially stumps her: What does she like? With the help of her neighbor—never named, but brilliantly played by Rob Delaney—she discovers that what she really enjoys is kicking men in the dick.
But the definition that most interests everyone involved in Dying for Sex is love. Marital love, which has faded since Molly’s initial diagnosis as her husband began to see only the patient in her—telling her in bed that her breasts remind him of death. Maternal love, explored through Molly’s mother, played by Sissy Spacek. One of her mother’s boyfriends molested Molly at age seven, leading her to dissociate during sex and blocking the intimacy that comes with orgasm. “I think he knew he was taking joy from me,” Molly says. The series raises potent questions about her mother’s responsibility and the love required for forgiveness. Then there’s the bond—perhaps love, perhaps something else—that grows between Molly and her neighbor, a connection that needs no label to be meaningful.
Above all, there is the love between friends. Nikki (a magnificent Jenny Slate) is Molly’s best friend, her “beautiful flake” who takes over her care—navigating both the emotional weight and the administrative nightmare of the U.S. healthcare system—while fighting her own chaotic tendencies alongside mounting fear and grief. “I don’t want to die with him,” Molly tells Nikki about her husband. “I want to die with you.”
Dying for Sex is about the courage of that decision, the rejection of convention, and the joy—which no abuser can steal—of truly knowing yourself and fulfilling not selfish desires, but genuine needs. And if one of those needs is to kick a man in the dick who deeply desires to be kicked in the dick—well, that’s a form of fulfillment too.a joy in itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about Dying for Sex the show ranked 2 on a hypothetical 50 Best TV Shows of 2025 list
General Plot FAQs
Q What is Dying for Sex actually about
A Its a dark comedydrama based on a true story and popular podcast It follows a woman who after being diagnosed with terminal cancer leaves her unhappy marriage and embarks on a journey to explore her sexuality and reclaim her life
Q Is this show based on a true story
A Yes Its adapted from the Wondery podcast of the same name which chronicles the reallife experiences of a woman named Molly
Q What genre is it Is it super depressing
A Its primarily a dramedy While it deals with heavy themes like mortality and illness its ultimately a lifeaffirming funny and bold story about living fully not just a sad story about dying
Q Do I need to listen to the podcast first
A No the show is designed to stand on its own Watching it might make you want to listen to the podcast afterward for the reallife details
Viewing Availability FAQs
Q Where can I watch Dying for Sex
A It is likely a major streaming service exclusive such as on Netflix Hulu or Apple TV
Q How many episodes are in the season
A The first season is expected to be a limited series likely consisting of 6 to 8 episodes
Q Who are the main actors in it
A It would likely star a renowned actress in the lead role supported by a cast known for both comedic and dramatic chops Think actors like Kristen Wiig Michelle Williams or similar talents
Themes Content FAQs
Q Why is this show getting so much critical praise
A Critics are praising its fearless blend of humor and heart its nuanced portrayal of female desire and agency and its refusal to treat its terminally ill protagonist as an object of pity Its seen as both provocative and profoundly human
