The film centers on Elliot (Cooper Hoffman), a 23-year-old who takes a job as an assistant to a provocative and successful artist, Erika Tracy (Olivia Wilde). Their professional relationship soon spirals into an obsessive and manipulative affair, with Elliot becoming Erika's sexual muse. The plot is described as a descent into a world of power dynamics, betrayal, and ultimately, murder.
The cast also includes Mason Gooding, Daveed Diggs, and musician Charli XCX, an addition likely to interest fans of her work. Following its Sundance premiere, the film was acquired by Magnolia Pictures for US distribution in a reported seven-figure deal, with a release planned for late July 2026. A European and Dutch release schedule has not yet been announced.
A Legacy of Queer Rebellion
For those unfamiliar with his filmography, Gregg Araki, now 66, was instrumental in shaping the aesthetic of independent queer film in the late 80s and 90s. His work is often characterized by low-budget, stylised visuals and a focus on alienated, sexually fluid young people navigating a hostile world. His notable films include:
- The Living End (1992): An early AIDS-era road movie about two gay, HIV-positive men on the run.
- The Doom Generation (1995): A nihilistic and violent teen road trip film that became a cult classic.
- Mysterious Skin (2004): A more sombre and critically acclaimed drama starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, which dealt with the long-term trauma of childhood sexual abuse.
- Kaboom (2010): A sci-fi comedy that won the first-ever Queer Palm award at the Cannes Film Festival.
On Casting and Chemistry
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the filmmakers shared insights into the casting process. Olivia Wilde was reportedly drawn to the script's dark humour, calling the character of Erika "insane" and insisting they find the perfect actor for Elliot. Her suggestion was Cooper Hoffman, son of the late Philip Seymour Hoffman, who impressed her in Licorice Pizza.
"He reminded me of the great young protagonists of the '80s, guys like John Cusack and Matthew Broderick," Wilde said. "Cooper is somehow without pretense, despite being a cinephile."
Araki admitted he was initially hesitant, noting Hoffman "looks like a kid," but was won over by his presence. "Thanks to his 'nepo baby' genes, he has a lot of gravitas. He could hold his own against Olivia... He and Olivia were an explosive couple."
For his part, Hoffman was not familiar with Araki's work before being cast. "I started with ‘Mysterious Skin’, and I was obsessed," he said, adding that he then sought out a screening of Totally F***ed Up and "fell in love with everything."
Araki's return with I Want Your Sex suggests a renewed engagement with the themes of sexuality and connection that have long been central to his work. "When I think about my life, sexuality, relationships and hookups, all of that really shaped me and made me the person I am today," the director stated, hinting at the personal undercurrents of his new film.
