Gregg Araki’s new film, I Want Your Sex, aims to encourage Gen Z to embrace real-life intimacy over digital connections. While the film’s message doesn’t quite land perfectly – it sometimes feels preachy rather than inviting – it’s a wildly fun and surprisingly energetic exploration of desire. It’s best to simply enjoy the film as a bold and unapologetic celebration of physical attraction.
Right from the start, director Araki establishes a playful yet intriguing tone. The film immediately presents striking imagery – reminiscent of classic film noir and even biblical scenes – featuring water, blood, and nudity, all of which become important symbols. We see Elliot (Cooper Hoffman), with a bloody face, diving into a pool to rescue his employer, the renowned artist Erika (Olivia Wilde). As detectives investigate, Elliot begins to explain how he became involved with Erika – starting as an employee at her gallery, and eventually entering a consensual and passionate relationship that opens his eyes to new experiences.
It’s easy to see why Elliot is drawn to Erika – she’s powerfully self-assured and captivating. But she’s also enigmatic, and it’s hard not to be fascinated. Elliot is willingly walking into a dangerous situation, blinded by the attention Erika gives him. Wilde portrays Erika as someone who not only gets what she wants, but expertly uses her charm and presence to make it happen. Their interactions are unpredictable, and that tension is what keeps the audience hooked.
Erika often expresses the creator’s views on how Gen Z thinks about sex. The conversations she has with Elliot, where they discuss the topic openly and honestly, seem designed to share the creator’s opinions on why young people should be more open-minded. However, these moments sometimes come across as judgmental rather than understanding, feeling like a generational gap in perspective.
The story itself likely won’t change how people feel about the central conflict. Erika criticizes Elliot’s generation for choosing safety and comfort over truly living, believing this hinders personal growth. She argues that making mistakes, especially in relationships, is crucial for understanding yourself and your boundaries, something you can’t achieve through self-pleasure alone. While the film raises a valid point – that worthwhile experiences often involve risk – it oversimplifies a complex issue. As Elliot and Erika’s relationship progresses, Elliot risks feeling humiliated or taken advantage of. It’s easy to see how he might hesitate to fully let go, because the difference between genuine exploitation and simply feeling uncomfortable can be very subtle.
Director Wilde recently discussed her film, explaining that Gen Z audiences are rejecting unrealistic portrayals of sex in media. They want authenticity, and current depictions often fall short. The film intentionally plays with this idea, using exaggerated and over-the-top scenes to satirize the main character, Elliot’s, fantasies. Whenever Elliot feels desire – whether for his girlfriend Charli XCX or Erika – the lighting becomes intensely bright and saturated, highlighting how his views on sex are simplistic and unfulfilling. Both Wilde and Charli XCX playfully exaggerate Elliot’s imagined version of their own desire to emphasize this point. What’s interesting is how Erika challenges Elliot’s limited perspective and introduces him to new possibilities. The film manages to make even unconventional acts feel as alluring as something as simple as enjoying a colorful drink, and it might even change how you view your favorite flavored sparkling water.
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As a longtime cinema fan, I’ve seen plenty of films use nudity, but I Want Your Sex is different. It’s definitely a sensual movie, but it’s not just about showing skin. It’s fast-paced and uses those explicit scenes to explore something deeper – how far we’ll go, and what we’ll sacrifice, just to feel wanted.
The film I Want Your Sex premiered at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival and received reviews, but a release date hasn’t been announced yet.
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2026-01-26 23:48