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Why we can’t wait to watch the rom-com Good Sex starring Natalie Portman
Lena Dunham’s next film, Good Sex, will star Oscar-winning actress Natalie Portman as a renowned therapist caught in the throes of a feverish, conflicted love triangle. Here’s everything we already know about this (very) modern romantic comedy, set for release in 2027.
Natalie Portman, heroine of the rom-com created by Lena Dunham
Nearly 14 years after No Strings Attached, Natalie Portman is finally returning to romantic comedy with Lena Dunham’s upcoming film. The American screenwriter and director—best known for the HBO series Girls—is helming the movie titled Good Sex, with Portman currently the only confirmed cast member.
Following her role in the suspenseful series Lady in the Lake (2024) alongside Mikey Madison, and ahead of her upcoming film Fountain of Youth premiering on Apple TV+ on May 23, Portman is shifting gears. In Good Sex, the May December star will portray Ally, a celebrated New York couples therapist.
She’ll step into the shoes of a woman in her forties, navigating the unpredictable world of dating and dating apps on the advice of her best friend. The film promises to appeal not only to singles but also to die-hard rom-com fans, and like many of its genre predecessors (Maid in Manhattan, When Harry Met Sally…), it’s set against the backdrop of New York City.
Good Sex: In the spirit of Babygirl?
The initial details surrounding Good Sex (scheduled for release in 2027) are already generating a buzz, particularly because the story revolves around a steamy love triangle. According to Deadline, Portman’s character finds herself torn between two very different men.
On one side, a young Brooklyn hipster; on the other, a high-powered professional in his fifties. This triangle becomes a sort of identity crisis for Ally, who is gripped by the fear of losing both men’s affection. The question now is: who will round out this trio in Lena Dunham’s tale of romantic entanglement?
A Sizzling love triangle
The film will delve head-on into the age-gap dynamic, pairing an older woman (Portman) with a man in his twenties. It’s a setup that echoes the premise of Babygirl, in which Nicole Kidman played a powerful CEO seduced by her young, flirtatious intern (Harris Dickinson).
Whether in plot or setting, Good Sex also calls to mind another hotly anticipated romantic film: Materialist by Celine Song (Past Lives). Scheduled for 2025, Materialist will similarly feature a love triangle in the heart of New York, with a star-studded cast that includes Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal, and Chris Evans.
As for Good Sex, directed by Lena Dunham and starring Natalie Portman, a release date has yet to be announced.
