The Allure of ‘Heated Rivalry’
Hbo Max’s gripping drama unfolds a compelling secret romance between two male hockey players, Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov. The series, based on a popular narrative, dives into the lives of these rivals both on the ice and in private. While the show is rich with hockey action, it also features intense male-on-male romance scenes that have captivated female audiences.
“I’ve seen enough, go ahead and greenlight six seasons and a movie #heatedrivalry,” a fan exclaimed on X. Another viewer expressed, “Chemistry so good, I had to look away cause I felt like I was intruding.”
These young, attractive athletes, despite their masculine personas, engage in few scenes with women. This raises the question: What is it about this show that fascinates women? Women’s Health consulted a sex expert for insights.
Understanding the Appeal
Casey Tanner, an AASECT-certified sex therapist and creator of @queersextherapy, explains that “straight women are drawn to Heated Rivalry for similar reasons they enjoy romance novels.” The show offers not just one, but two deeply invested ‘book boyfriends,’ set in an environment typically associated with toxic masculinity, yet the storyline subverts this notion.
Shane and Ilya’s relationship is more than just physical attraction; it’s about longing and emotional connection. Their interactions through meaningful glances, playful texts, and urgent intimacy allow many straight women to vicariously experience the masculine vulnerability and devotion they seek. Tanner notes, “For women, the thrill isn’t necessarily ‘I want one of them’; it’s ‘I want to be that wanted, that chosen.'”
Broadening Audience Appeal
The show’s appeal extends beyond straight women. Tanner observes that “the show resonates with a wide range of sexual identities, including lesbian and queer women who aren’t romantically interested in men.” For these viewers, the appeal lies not in the attraction to the men, but in the emotional themes explored. The show touches on themes of risk, secrecy, and authenticity that resonate with many queer women, Tanner explains.
Exploring Sexual Fluidity
Research indicates that women often display more sexual fluidity than men. Tanner points out, “Women’s physiological responses aren’t as closely tied to the gender of the people on screen as men’s are.” Data from Pornhub and academic studies since 2014 reveal that straight women frequently enjoy lesbian erotica. This preference is linked to the interest in Heated Rivalry.
“Studies show that women, including straight women, often respond physically to both straight and lesbian erotica, with their arousal not always matching their sexual orientation,” Tanner explains. “Many straight women find lesbian erotica appealing because it centers women’s pleasure and feels less degrading.”
Although Heated Rivalry doesn’t feature women like lesbian porn does, it has a similar psychological and physiological impact on female viewers. “Women get to observe mutual desire and negotiated pleasure from a psychological distance,” Tanner notes. “This perceived safety allows desire to flourish.”
The Broader Fantasy Context
When engaging with romantic content, women often respond to emotional tone, power dynamics, and safety cues, rather than just the gender of the characters. Tanner elaborates, “That flexibility is why a gay romance can be deeply appealing to straight women. They respond to tenderness, mutual obsession, taboo, and the dismantling of rigid masculinity.”
Today, many people, especially women, feel more comfortable distinguishing between identity and fantasy. Tanner explains, “Fantasy is about the stories that resonate with our bodies, not necessarily who we want to date. Straight women, lesbians, and bi/pan women can all be drawn to a story centered on two men. This doesn’t imply hidden bisexuality; it shows we’re allowing women to embrace their broader fantasy life.”
For those who enjoy romance novels or series like Heated Rivalry, the fantasies they evoke can reveal desires for real-life relationships. Tanner suggests reflecting while watching: “What does this awaken in me that I want more of in my life-more safety, more emotional reciprocity, more enthusiasm, more softness from men?” Answering these questions may lead to a more satisfying romantic life offscreen. And isn’t that the ultimate aim?