Dying for Sex

Molly’s story begins ten years into an unfulfilling marriage with her husband Steve, a somewhat pompous journalist who struggles to connect with her on a deeper level. She is also haunted by a traumatic childhood experience involving her mother’s boyfriend forcing oral sex upon her at the tender age of seven. This dark past influences much of her emotional landscape and complicates her current relationships.

Her life takes a dramatic turn when, during a routine couples therapy session, her doctor calls with devastating news: a biopsy indicates she has Stage IV metastatic breast cancer that has aggressively infiltrated her bones, brain, and liver. The diagnosis hits her hard, and she responds by leaving the session to purchase a two-liter bottle of diet soda and menthol cigarettes from a nearby bodega, seeking some form of comfort amidst the chaos. In the aftermath, she confides in her friend Nikki, portrayed by Jenny Slate, who becomes a crucial support figure.

Her condition impacts her intimacy, as her tamoxifen medication unexpectedly increases her libido. Molly, trying to reconnect with her sexuality, attempts to engage in intimate acts with her husband, but those moments are marred by emotional pain—Steve, played by Jay Duplass(/actor/jay-duplass), becomes overwhelmed and begins crying when Molly’s breasts remind him of her impending death. At the hospital, her relationship with counselor Sonya (Sissy Spacek) sparks a realization in Molly: she has never experienced an orgasm with another person. This revelation ignites her desire to explore her sexuality more openly, marking a turning point in her journey of self-discovery.

As Molly navigates her cancer and emotional struggles, she begins exploring the world of dating through a dating app, where she surprises herself by receiving numerous unsolicited photographs—dick pics—that initially amuse her. Her health status worsens as her doctors prepare to induce menopause, prompting her to avoid virtual encounters at first, fearing her scars and changed body. She later orders a vibrator and seeks pleasure alone, finding amusement in scenes from movies like Speed, clownfish in a reef, and a male webcam model, all of which she watches while orgasm-ing. During these intimate moments, her laptop gets infected with viruses, leading to some comic relief amidst the seriousness.

Her burgeoning sexual exploration takes a darker turn when a man she encounters blackmails her, creating tension and prompting her to turn to Nikki and her husband Steve for support. His reaction is one of shame, which drives Molly to take immediate action—leaving him and later moving in with Nikki, who becomes her confidante. Despite her newfound independence, she faces continued challenges—including the loss of her medical records when Nikki misplaces them—and ongoing emotional turmoil.

Molly’s experiences with relationships are turbulent. She encounters a variety of people, including a pup play enthusiast and other kink partners, as she searches for control and understanding of her desires. Her friendship with Nikki serves as a lifeline, but their bond is tested by distance and Nikki’s own personal struggles, like her breakup with Noah after she switches off her phone during her dental surgery.

Throughout her journey, Molly also attends different cancer groups—both for those with incurable and curable disease—to find community and acceptance. Her interactions with her neighbor, played by Rob Delaney, become increasingly intimate. Despite initial hesitations and her trauma, she begins exploring BDSM, submission, and dominance, even attending a “play-party” potluck where she witnesses Sonya’s ex G instruct someone in masturbation on a table. Inspired, Molly seeks G’s guidance, trying both submission and dominance, and slowly experiments with her boundaries.

Her vulnerability deepens as she tries to reconnect physically and emotionally. She spends holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas with her neighbor, trying to find moments of joy and passion, even as her health deteriorates. She experiments with butt plugs and masturbation, but trauma often causes her to freeze or back away, highlighting her ongoing struggle to reclaim her pleasure. She also faces setbacks, such as a deep-vein thrombosis which lands her in the hospital during Christmas and later requires her to be in hospice care.

Ultimately, Molly’s condition worsens, and she faces the reality of her mortality. In her final weeks, she receives visits from friends and loved ones, including Noah, whom she invites over during her last days. Her loved ones, including Gail (Sissy Spacek), Nikki, and the hospital staff, support her as she strives for moments of connection and pleasure. Her neighbor makes her orgasm during her hospice care, symbolizing her reclaiming some control and joy in her life even as her body weakens.

Her story concludes with her serene passing, leaving behind a trail of both pain and resilience. After her death, Nikki rekindles her relationship with Noah, symbolizing a new beginning inspired by Molly’s brave journey. This narrative explores themes of trauma, healing, sexuality, and the complex human desire for connection, all set against the backdrop of a courageous woman confronting her mortality with honesty and vulnerability.

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 05:14