ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER: The Biggest Battle is for Love
Sometimes love can be scary. And when it is, you have to get tough. Against vulnerability. Against fear of control. Against loss. Against despair. These are the battles in Paul Thomas Anderson’s …
A DIFFERENT MAN? No. Edward Lives in Shame & Misses Red Flags
People can be cruel. Even worse is having a voice of shame inside that makes you hang your head low and believe every word they say. That’s Edward in Aaron Schimberg’s A Different Man.
WEAPONS: Being Under the Spell of a Narcissistic Abuser
I know, I know. Aunt Gladys is supposed to be a witch in Zach Cregger’s new film, Weapons. But I have to say: What better example of a gaslighting narcissistic abuser could we possibly find?
I SAW THE TV GLOW: When Sadness Can Be Just Too Much
Owen and Maddy can’t be who they are in Jane Schoenbrun‘s I Saw the TV Glow. Those reasons started in traumatic childhoods but are now inside themselves. For Owen, his dad’s control …
SORRY, BABY: “Not Thinking About It:” Trauma & What Heals
Something bad happened to Agnes in Eva Victor’s, Sorry, Baby. Yes, Sexual assault is bad. And, Agnes has the typical trauma responses: thinking and not thinking about it, confusion, disorientation …
BEAU IS AFRAID: Living in a Reel of Dissociated (Terrifying) Feelings
Beau is Afraid in Ari Aster‘s psychologically complex horror film. He has good reasons to be afraid. Beau has a (very) scary mom. He’s frightened of making the “wrong” move or saying the “wrong” thing …
MATERIALISTS: Love Isn’t Easy When Your Childhood Was Hard
Materialists, written and directed by Celine Song, starring Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans, and Pedro Pascal, tells the story of how love isn’t easy when your childhood was hard …
DYING FOR SEX, EPISODE 8: Love Changes Molly (& Everyone)
Sexual abuse is serious. A rift with your mom is too, in Dying for Sex, Episode 8. But “It’s Not That Serious” when you can let in more love and finally embrace what you want. That’s what Molly does …
DYING FOR SEX EPISODE 7: Allowing Love Brings an Orgasm with Another Person
Even grumpy Nurse Ernie knows (in Dying for Sex Episode 7, You’re Killing Me Ernie): Love heals. So, he (sort of) turns his head and begrudgingly lets Molly invite Neighbor Guy into her room…
DYING FOR SEX EPISODE 6: Making the Best of It (Feelings & Finally, Love)
Molly makes the best of Stage 4 Metastatic cancer in Dying for Sex Episode 6, Happy Holidays. Of course, the cannabis therapy doesn’t hurt, along with Nikki and Sonya, both high too …
DYING FOR SEX EPISODE 5: Molly Lets Down Her Guard with Neighbor Guy …
Why is it sometimes preferable to have a pet? Dying for Sex Episode 5, My Pet, offers us a good example (as in Molly’s Barking Man/Pet). Pet doesn’t say you’re wrong, violate you, or …
DYING FOR SEX EPISODE 4: Molly Wants Power (& How She Gets Some…)
Dying for Sex Episode 4: Topping is a Sacred Skill reveals one thing you don’t have when you’re sexually abused as a child, and that’s: power. Your abuser has the power. You? You have no control …
DYING FOR SEX EPISODE 3: Reality Hits & Molly Has No Control
Dying for Sex Episode 3 shows us one major reason feelings can become amplified. It’s when reality hits hard after you’ve been avoiding reality for a very long time because it’s too painful …
DYING FOR SEX EPISODE 2: What Does Molly Want?
Molly said, “No More.” She left Steve in Dying for Sex, Episode 1. That’s the first step. But – it doesn’t answer the question: “What does Molly want?” And, that’s one of the hardest questions …
DYING FOR SEX EPISODE 1: The Value of Saying “No More”
Molly’s scared to feel. In Dying for Sex Episode 1, childhood sexual abuse is the reason. But there’s more than being numb to her feelings. She can’t say no or put herself first. Not quite yet.