Sex Appeal: Release Date, Cast, And More

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Teen comedies have frequently leaned in to the insatiable curiosity of teenagers and their sexual appetites. Raunchy films from the late 1990s and 2000s poked fun at the absolute chaos that could rain down thanks to romantic misadventures, and the trend has since continued to both hilarious and charming effect. But streaming platforms are where sex positive storylines have really thrived: Teen dramas are allotted the time and freedom to engage in depth with big questions, utilizing relentless humor and far fewer stereotypes.

Such circumstances have granted us the likes of "Sex Education" and "Never Have I Ever," shows grounded in character drama and emotion. Onscreen teens are free to open up about their fears, dig into the deep questions of intimacy, and do it all without bending to the will of network supervision. Continuing that trend is a new straight-to-streaming comedy, "Sex Appeal," a film which tells the story of a girl who sets out to master her sexuality. Will this be much more difficult than she anticipates? Without a doubt. And will we enjoy every second of her chaotic journey? Absolutely.

Sex Appeal Release Date and Where You Can Watch It

"Sex Appeal" will be available to stream exclusively on Hulu starting January 14, 2022. This will mark the fifth Hulu Original film from American High, the production company behind "The Binge" and "Plan B" (pictured above), a film which follows in the same high school exploration vein. "Plan B" was a road trip comedy about a straight-laced high school student who embarks on an epic quest to find the morning after pill. The film sounds close to "Sex Appeal" in tone, which is great news given it was met with a largely positive response.

What is Sex Appeal?

"Sex Appeal" follows bookish teenager Avery Hansen-White, a perfectionist who never does anything unless she knows she'll be excellent. So naturally, when her long-distance boyfriend hints at wanting to take their relationship to the next level, she sets out on a mission to master her sexuality. It's easier said than done — especially since her approach involves studying the mechanics of love via science — but maybe you missed the part where I said Avery is a perfectionist. It may take some time, but Avery will come to learn that relationships are less about science and more about heart. If the books don't hammer that message in, then she'll at least have the guidance of her super supportive family (see Margaret Cho in the header image with a literal trolley of condoms) and her best friend. All Avery has to do is completely master sexuality before meeting up with her boyfriend at the upcoming STEM conference (A.K.A. nerd prom). 

Here's the official synopsis:

"Avery Hansen-White doesn't do things she isn't excellent at. So when her long-distance boyfriend hints at wanting to take their relationship to the next level, she sets out to master her sexuality, employing her oldest friend, Larson, as a test subject. In this hilarious teen comedy, Avery's study results in the realization that there's more to sex and love, than mechanics. Relationships require both head and heart.

Sex Appeal Cast

Mika Abdalla stars as Avery, the teen at the center of the film who's pursuing her sexual education via science. The young actress is no stranger to playing a super-smart teen — she's previously starred in the Netflix series "Project MC2" (pictured above) as another STEM-focused high schooler, but one who spends her days doubling as a secret agent. While this role has considerably less action involved, Abdalla at least gets to put her science knowledge to use as Avery. "Sex Appeal" also stars Margaret Cho, the actress/comedian whose presence promises a hilarious time. Paris Jackson ("American Horror Stories") is also aboard as Larson, Avery's long-time best friend, enlisted to help Avery prepare for the pivotal "nerd prom" meet-up.

Sex Appeal Director, Writer, and More

This upcoming YA rom-com comes from director Talia Osteen, making her narrative feature film debut after directing the short film "The Shabbos Goy" and documentary, "Blindsided." The script was penned by Tate Hanyock, writer behind the 2021 film "Love and Baseball," who also serves as executive producer. Also producing "Sex Appeal" are American High's Jeremy Garelick, Will Phelps, and Ryan Bennett.