A fully charged erotic comedy, Gregg Araki’s 12th feature film, I Want Your Sex, centers on exploring sexual power dynamics and personal identity, critiquing the romance culture of Gen-Z while serving as a reflection of Araki’s personal journey as a young adult.
Opening in theatres on July 31st, 2026, the star-studded work features Cooper Hoffman as Elliot, a kind-hearted yet unfocused college grad who lands a job with visual artist Erika Tracy (Olivia Wilde), a renowned provocateur and unapologetic critic of social and sexual mores.
The film kicks off its wild journey when Erika stuns Elliot by proposing that he become her sexual muse and subordinate. He is thrown into a tailspin as their relationship makes him question his own desires and fantasies, as well as his relationships with his uptight girlfriend (Charli XCX) and repressed roommate (Chase Sui Wonders). As the stakes heighten and power dynamics shift, the film mixes satire, romantic comedy, mystery, and murder through the colorful and edgy visual language for which Araki is best known.
Alongside Hoffman and Tracy is a star-studded supporting cast including Mason Gooding, Johnny Knoxville, Margaret Cho, Roxane Mesquida, and Tony-winner Daveed Diggs.
An icon of the indie filmmaking world and a pioneer of the New Queer Cinema movement, Araki has been entertaining audiences with his provocative films since his award-winning directorial debut Three Bewildered People in the Night (1987). I Want Your Sex is Araki’s first film since 2014, and was his 10th project to screen at the Sundance Film Festival.
In an interview with Douglas Greenwood in i-D Magazine, a British biannual magazine dedicated to fashion, music, art, film, and youth culture, Araki discussed his motivation behind the film and why he decided to make it now.
“It’s kind of punk and sexy and crazy. These times are so dystopian, so I didn’t want to make something super dark. It’s kind of a love letter for Gen Z. There’s this thing going on that’s discussed in the movie: Gen Z doesn’t have sex anymore.” Araki says.
He wants to push against sexual norms, and I Want Your Sex is about the trials and tribulations of young adulthood. Araki wants to erase shame and create a safe space for talking about the diverse world of sexual experiences.
“Making mistakes is what being young is all about.” You can’t wait till you’re 45.” Araki says.
Watch the official trailer for I Want Your Sex above.
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