Honestly, the internet has been buzzing about Natalie Portman lately, and for once, it’s not just about her impeccable red carpet style or her recent divorce. People are searching for "Natalie Portman good sex" and, no, it's not what the clickbait headlines might suggest.
It is the title of her latest project.
Basically, Portman is starring in a brand-new Netflix romantic comedy directed by none other than Lena Dunham. If that sounds like an odd pairing to you, you aren't alone. You have the Oscar-winning, Harvard-educated Black Swan star joining forces with the woman who redefined raw, messy intimacy on HBO’s Girls.
The movie, aptly titled Good Sex, has already wrapped production and is slated for a 2026 release. It’s a project that seems designed to make us a little uncomfortable while making us think.
What is Good Sex Actually About?
The plot doesn't follow your standard boy-meets-girl formula. Portman plays Ally, a pragmatic and successful New York couples' therapist who, ironically, finds herself at a total loss in her own love life. She’s turning 40, coming off a decade-long failed relationship, and her best friend (played by the hilarious Rashida Jones) drags her back into the wild world of modern dating.
Then it gets complicated.
Ally finds herself caught in a "steamy fling" with a Brooklyn hipster in his 20s, played by musician Tucker Pillsbury (better known as Role Model). At the same time, she’s building a "conventional" and promising connection with Alan, a man in his 50s played by Mark Ruffalo.
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The "good sex" keyword here refers to the central question of the film: is there a formula for intimacy? Ally's journey explores whether her desires align with what society—and her own therapy practice—tells her is "right."
It’s about an identity crisis. It's about being 40 and realizing you still don't have the answers.
The Cast is Kind of Stacked
Netflix didn't hold back on the budget for this one. They reportedly won a bidding war for the rights, shelling out around $55 million. When you look at the cast list, you see why:
- Natalie Portman as Ally
- Mark Ruffalo as the mature love interest, Alan
- Tucker Pillsbury (Role Model) as the younger Brooklynite, Caleb
- Meg Ryan (Yes, the rom-com queen herself is back!)
- Rashida Jones
- Tramell Tillman
Seeing Meg Ryan’s name on a rom-com script again is enough to give any millennial heart palpitations. Dunham reportedly "shot her shot" by pitching the role to Ryan during a Taylor Swift concert. Talk about a power move.
Why This Role Matters for Natalie Portman
Portman has spent most of her career being "the serious one." From the tragedy of Jackie to the psychological horror of Black Swan, she rarely gets to just be funny or messy.
In recent interviews—like a candid chat with Jenna Ortega for Interview magazine in 2025—Portman opened up about being heavily sexualized as a child star following Léon: The Professional. She admitted she spent decades overcompensating by acting "studious" and "serious" just to protect herself.
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"I was like, if I create this image of myself, I’ll be left alone," she said.
Choosing a movie called Good Sex feels like a deliberate step away from that protective shell. It’s a pivot toward the "silly and stupid" side of herself she says people rarely see. After her public split from Benjamin Millepied, seeing her dive into a project about reclaiming desire at 40 feels... well, it feels pretty pointed. And honest.
Is This the New "Babygirl"?
A lot of critics are comparing this to the recent "age-gap" trend we’ve seen in Hollywood. You’ve got Nicole Kidman in Babygirl and Anne Hathaway in The Idea of You.
But Good Sex seems to be aiming for something lighter yet more neurotic. While Babygirl was a dark, erotic thriller, Dunham’s script for Portman is being described as a "neurotic New York comedy." Think When Harry Met Sally but with more therapy talk and way more awkwardness.
The cinematography is being handled by Sam Levy, who worked on Lady Bird, so expect that warm, textured, "real" New York vibe rather than the glossy, fake version we usually see in streaming movies.
Breaking Down the Misconceptions
There’s been some pushback online, mostly because of Lena Dunham’s involvement. She’s always been a lightning rod for controversy. Some people on Reddit and social media have questioned the pairing of Portman and Ruffalo—who are both very outspoken on global politics—given their sometimes differing public stances.
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However, the production has stayed on track. They filmed all over NYC in the summer of 2025, with Portman spotted looking relaxed in linen shirts and eating pretzels in the park with Rashida Jones.
It doesn't look like a "preachy" movie. It looks like a movie about the messy reality of wanting two different things at the same time.
What to Expect in 2026
If you’re looking for a traditional rom-com where everything is wrapped up with a neat bow, this might not be it. It’s Lena Dunham. There will be cringe. There will be long, awkward conversations about feelings.
But with Portman at the helm, there will also likely be a lot of heart.
What you should do next:
- Keep an eye on Netflix's 2026 slate for the first official teaser trailer; production wrapped in late 2025, so we should see footage soon.
- Revisit Portman's work in "May December" if you want to see how she handles complex, uncomfortable themes of desire and performance before this drops.
- Check out Role Model's music—specifically the track "Sally, When The Wine Runs Out"—to get a feel for the vibe of Portman's younger co-star.
The film is currently in post-production. It’s coming. And whether it’s "good" or just "provocative," it’s definitely going to be the most talked-about movie on your feed.