The hook of the brand new mini-series Dying for Sex (FX on Hulu, April 3) is true there within the title. There will likely be dying—however first there will likely be intercourse, the sort you gained’t see on common tv. There can be the draw of star Michelle Williams, a former teen idol turned extremely revered dramatic actor being given the prospect to do one thing ribald, daring, transgressive.
In its first few episodes, Dying for Sex leans into the promise of giddy, provocative danger. Run by Liz Meriwether and Kim Rosenstock—and based mostly on the same-titled podcast from Nikki Boyer—the collection opens with a nasty shock. Molly, a late-30-something Brooklynite, learns {that a} most cancers considered in everlasting remission has come roaring again, probably in terminal type. Dazed and unmoored, Molly fairly rapidly decides to go away her less-than-happy marriage (to a needy beta performed by Jay Duplass) in order that she will be able to hunt down actual satisfaction. She’s by no means achieved orgasm along with her husband, nor with another sexual associate all through her life. Given that that life could quickly be ending, Molly adventures to lastly discover launch, largely by kink and sub-dom play.
Meriwether, Rosenstock, and their writers are initially arch about this inciting motivation—which is predicated on an actual girl’s personal journey of discovery. Dying for Sex closely telegraphs the envelope-pushing in its first few episodes, threatening to dehumanize Molly’s circumstances in favor of an outline of a world gone out of the blue mad with sexual need and chance. As Molly, Williams is a vital drive in preserving the collection tethered to actuality; even when Dying for Sex pushes hardest for darkish, titillating comedy, she mixes one thing palpably wealthy and human into it.
So does Jenny Slate, who performs a model of the actual Boyer as a contented sufficient one that nonetheless blows up her life with a purpose to take care of her ailing buddy. In some methods, Slate is the true phenom of the collection, a comedic actor getting the prospect to do huge, expansive drama and nailing each side of it. We’ve lengthy recognized that Williams can do that form of factor; Slate, then again, arrives as extra of a revelation.
Gradually, throughout its eight episodes, Dying for Sex reshapes itself to raised help and embolden its two fiercely dedicated leads. The intercourse stuff stays, nevertheless it’s extra thoughtfully approached, given depth and particular that means as we study new details about Molly’s previous—notably about an incident of abuse in her childhood that has badly warped her capability to really feel and settle for pleasure. All of that unearthing is going on, in fact, as Molly grows ever sicker, pulling the main target of the present towards extra conventional most cancers drama. While lots of the collection’s demise and dying plot beats are acquainted, Meriwether, Rosenstock, and firm discover methods to make them really feel contemporary and novel—and all of the extra devastating for it.
What the present is driving at is, surprisingly, not so dissimilar from the film The Bucket List. Molly largely has one merchandise on her checklist, nevertheless it’s a giant one. In attaining that want, she is in essence savoring the fullness of life, pushing herself—and, by extension, Nikki—towards a hard-won enlightenment. Molly will not be precisely making peace along with her quickly approaching finish, however she is at the very least gaining an appreciation for the transient time that she possessed a thoughts and a physique and a starvation for expertise.
While many males are bit gamers in Molly’s story, one emerges as an precise love curiosity. He’s performed by Rob Delaney, one other comedian actor doing seriousness fairly effectively. At first, Delaney’s character is simply an odd and vexing neighbor. But one thing about him holds Molly’s curiosity, and little by little they set up a rapport that evolves from carnal to sincerely compassionate. It’s a beautiful and disarming little arc, an surprising connection that provides Molly one final surge of romantic pleasure.
But this subplot nonetheless feels a bit indifferent from what the present is finally about: the enduring friendship between Molly and Nikki, and Molly’s palliative course of. Dying for Sex could also be a grabby title, however the collection itself will not be so risqué in the long run. It is sort of transferring, although, grounded by heat and thorough performances and sharp bits of writing. Joining Williams and Slate (who’s, once more, glorious) close to the conclusion of Molly’s story is Sissy Spacek, who performs Molly’s considerably estranged mom with a sophisticated stability of guardedness and affection. When these three actors are on display screen, Dying for Sex lets its racy trappings fall away. What stays is straightforward however deeply efficient, one other story of somebody’s passing that gazes at our widespread mortality with horror, disappointment, and no small quantity of surprise. Come for the orgasms; keep for the crying.