Netflix secures $55M deal for Natalie Portman rom-com, directed by Lena Dunham

Netflix has acquired 'Good Sex', a highly anticipated rom-com starring Natalie Portman, for $55M.

Netflix has secured a worldwide deal for the upcoming romantic comedy Good Sex, starring Natalie Portman, in a deal valued at approximately $55 million.

This marks one of the largest deals made during this year’s European Film Market (EFM), which saw a relatively quiet atmosphere in terms of big-name deals in Berlin. Despite this, behind-the-scenes negotiations were active, and Good Sex emerged as one of the market's biggest acquisitions.

The project sparked significant interest earlier this month, with major players like Warner Bros, Amazon, Apple, and Netflix all competing for the rights. The film will star Oscar winner Natalie Portman, with the script penned and directed by Golden Globe winner Lena Dunham, best known for Girls. The package was introduced to the market by CAA Media Finance and Film Nation Entertainment.

The film centers on Ally (Portman), a successful couples' therapist who, after a decade in a failed relationship, faces a personal crisis as she navigates her 40th birthday. Encouraged by her best friend to dive back into the New York dating scene, Ally embarks on two distinct romantic paths. She engages in a passionate affair with a younger Brooklyn hipster while beginning a more conventional relationship with a successful 50-something Manhattanite. The plot follows her struggle to balance these two men, leading her to question her identity and desires.

Portman and Sophie Mas will produce through their company, MountainA, alongside Dunham and Michael Cohen under their banner, Good Thing Going. The deal surpasses initial budget estimates, fueled by tax incentives from an anticipated New Jersey shoot. If tax breaks are included, the final deal exceeds the EFM record set in 2022 for Sony’s A Man Called Otto.