Amazon to Adapt Scandalous Comic "Sex Criminals"

Amazon Prime Video is Launching a Series Based on the Cult Comic by Matt Fraction and Chip Zdarsky, Long Considered Unadaptable

Amazon Prime Video has officially announced the development of a television series based on the comic "Sex Criminals," created by Matt Fraction and Chip Zdarsky. The project, known for its provocative themes and unconventional take on the superpower genre, will be an eight-episode series.

Creators and Producers of the Project

Heading the creative team is the star duo of Kumail Nanjiani and his wife, screenwriter Emily V. Gordon. They are joined by showrunner Zhee Chun. Nanjiani will not only co-write the adaptation but also star in the series.

The project is being developed with the involvement of the production company LuckyChap, owned by Margot Robbie, which has already established itself as a studio supporting unconventional and bold stories.

Commenting on the work on the series, Gordon and Nanjiani noted they were particularly drawn to the emotional and human aspect of the original, calling it "a love story in the strangest of circumstances."

What the Series Will Be About

The plot centers on Suze, a modest librarian, and Jon, an actor, who unexpectedly discover they share an unusual and extremely awkward ability: time stops every time they reach orgasm.

Realizing the potential of their "gift," the couple decides to use it for practical purposes. To save Suze's library from closure, they begin committing robberies, including of the bank where Jon works. The official synopsis describes the series as the story of "an ordinary girl with an extraordinary ability" and how any couple would behave upon suddenly gaining such power.

Context of the Original Comic

The comic "Sex Criminals" is a multiple Eisner Award winner and gained wide recognition not only due to its provocative title and plot but also because of active public debate surrounding it. The publication regularly appeared on lists of the most banned and challenged comics in U.S. libraries and schools.

At the same time, critics have repeatedly noted that beneath the sensationalist exterior lies an ironic, touching, and socially sensitive story about intimacy, loneliness, money, and the attempt to hold onto what truly matters.

What to Expect from the Adaptation

The television adaptation from Amazon Prime Video promises to maintain the balance of bold humor, romantic storyline, and social satire that gave the original its cult status. For the streaming service, this marks another step toward daring, author-driven projects that break free from traditional genre formulas.