'Minx' Review: Very Saucy, Very Sexy
When you think of the rise of pornography in 1970s Los Angeles, images of Playboy mansion parties and crude examples of the male gaze come to mind. New HBO Max original Minx tells a different story: The rise of an erotic magazine for women.
Minx introduces us to Joyce Prigger (Ophelia Lovibond), a woman who dreams of starting a feminist magazine, and Doug Renetti (Jake Johnson) a shifty adult magazine publisher eager for dominance. Prigger is so laser-focused on liberating women that she fails to realize that she needs to do some self-liberating while Renetti sees her as an uncut gem. Together, they go on a phallus-filled journey where success pushes each of them into a race to become Icarus.
Renetti greenlights Prigger’s magazine idea with the controversial addition of male nudity. While Prigger’s ideas are just, she lacks the empathy and language of the working class to express them without self-righteous ignorance. She’s thrust into the pornographic underground of Los Angeles while riding the line between “proper” living and carefree, independent living.
No time is spent on world-building, instead, the showrunners’ excellent use of costumes and set design set the scene for Minx. Each house, suit, or piece of equipment is a sign of the times. The neutral color palette that dominated the ‘70s is rampant, providing viewers with the kind of sepia-flavored nostalgia required for this kind of period piece.
Similarly, Minx does not waste time diving into the backstories of our characters. Instead, the writers make it a point to magnify their reactions or incomprehension of situations to showcase character dynamics. Additionally, the actions of the supporting characters provide important insight into the leads’ decisions.
Johnson and Lovibond quickly develop strong on-screen chemistry. Their relationship’s tug-o-war throughout the season features the same kind of power and emotional dynamics that the show seeks to challenge. Despite the sexy undertones of the show, this chemistry never boils down to sexual tension or compels the audience to ship the two leads. Instead, viewers find themselves in their own push-and-pull relationship with the characters, being disappointed and delighted with them throughout each episode. Beyond our two leads is an impressive supporting cast: mainly Bambi (Jessica Lowe), Richie (Oscar Montoya), and Shelly (Lennon Parham). Each character serves a purpose beyond comic relief, and their lives change as much as the leads do after the success of Minx.
Live-action comedy series rule the screens these days. Sure, Minx may be missing the unique nuance seen in Atlanta or the redefining of character tropes like Ted Lasso, but Minx boasts impressive chemistry amongst its leads, with a supporting cast that could carry the show on its own.
Part dramedy and part period piece, Minx wears its 1970s influence proudly. Every suit, color tone, beard, or blouse feels strongly reminiscent. Nothing feels out of place, and the showrunners have crafted a story full of juicy full-circle character development and themes that feel strangely relevant today, without being forced.
Minx concluded its first season on April 14. HBO has not announced a renewal of the show; however, audience and critic reaction has been positive.
UPDATE: Minx has been renewed for a second season.
