I Want Your Sex Premieres at Sundance with Wilde and Hoffman

Olivia Wilde and Cooper Hoffman lead the cast of I Want Your Sex, a new film from director Gregg Araki that premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 23, 2026, in Park City, Utah. The movie follows a young man who takes a job with a bold artist and gets pulled into her world of sex, power plays, betrayal, and murder. It mixes comedy, drama, mystery, and thriller elements in a story set in Los Angeles art galleries.

Background

Gregg Araki has made films for over 30 years, often focusing on bold takes on youth, sex, and society. His past works include Mysterious Skin, The Living End, and White Bird in a Blizzard. He has brought films to Sundance 11 times before, most recently with Now Apocalypse in 2019. He also directed episodes of TV shows like Dahmer and American Gigolo.

The idea for I Want Your Sex started in May 2024 when reports came out about Araki teaming up with Olivia Wilde on a thriller project backed by Black Bear Pictures. Karley Sciortino, known for her work on sex and relationships, co-wrote the script with Araki. Production moved fast after that. Casting announcements kept coming through the summer and fall.

In August 2024, Cooper Hoffman, who broke out in Licorice Pizza, signed on to play Elliot, the lead role opposite Wilde's character. Charli XCX joined around the same time in a role not yet detailed. By late October, more actors filled out the cast: Mason Gooding, Chase Sui Wonders, Daveed Diggs, Johnny Knoxville, and Margaret Cho. Roxane Mesquida came on board in November as Yvette.

Filming took place entirely in Los Angeles. Cameras rolled starting October 2, 2024, and wrapped just 26 days later on October 27. The production stayed local, capturing the feel of LA's art scene. Producers included Seth Caplan, Teddy Schwarzman, Michael Heimler, and others from Black Bear. Costume designer Arianne Phillips and others handled the look, which draws eyes with its edgy style.

Key Details

The story centers on Elliot, a young guy excited about his new job working for Erika Tracy, played by Olivia Wilde. Erika is a famous artist known for pushing boundaries. What starts as a dream gig turns real when she picks him as her sexual muse for her art. Soon, Elliot faces more than he expected: deep dives into sex, obsession, power struggles, betrayal, and even murder.

Cast Breakdown

• Olivia Wilde stars as Erika Tracy, the dominating artist at the heart of the action.
• Cooper Hoffman is Elliot, the fresh-faced newcomer who gets swept up.
• Mason Gooding appears in a supporting role.
• Chase Sui Wonders is part of the ensemble.
• Daveed Diggs brings his energy to the mix.
• Charli XCX makes her film acting debut in an undisclosed part.
• Johnny Knoxville, Margaret Cho, and Roxane Mesquida as Yvette round out key players.

The film runs 1 hour and 30 minutes. It played at several Sundance venues, including Eccles Theatre and Library Center Theatre in Park City, Rose Wagner Center in Salt Lake City, and others. Sundance listed it as available in person only, with a warning for mature content.

Araki's direction mixes satire of the art world with a look at modern sex ideas. The script challenges views on kink, power dynamics, exhibitionism, and how generations see sexual freedom. It uses a circular story structure to keep viewers guessing.

"In writer-director Gregg Araki’s latest feature, a sex-forward Los Angeles art gallery hosts a delightfully enigmatic sadomasochistic game, as Cooper Hoffman’s eager Elliot is pushed to the edge by the sharply sardonic Erika, masterfully portrayed by Olivia Wilde." — Sundance Film Festival program notes

What This Means

This premiere marks a big moment for Araki, who continues to explore sex and relationships in fresh ways after decades in film. Sundance has long been a launchpad for his projects, and this one fits his style of mixing fun, edge, and deeper questions. For Olivia Wilde, it adds to her range after directing and acting in films like Booksmart. She plays a character who wears see-through dresses and stilettos to work, showing the bold fashion in the art world.

Cooper Hoffman, son of Philip Seymour Hoffman, builds on his early success. At Sundance, the film could draw buyers from studios or streaming services looking for adult-oriented stories. The cast mix, with music stars like Charli XCX and actors like Diggs, appeals to wide audiences.

The runtime and genre blend suggest it targets viewers who like thrillers with humor and heart. Themes of consent, power, and obsession speak to ongoing talks about relationships today. After Sundance, expect festival runs or a wide release later in 2026. Black Bear Pictures, known for strong projects, will push it forward. Early buzz positions it as a playful take on sex in art circles, with potential to spark conversations on boundaries and desire.