At a Glance
- The indie film I Want Your Sex premiered at Sundance on Jan. 23.
- Olivia Wilde stars as an artist who hires a young sexual muse, played by Cooper Hoffman.
- The film, co-written by Gregg Araki and Karley Sciortino, explores kink, autonomy, and generational attitudes toward sex.
- Why it matters: It marks a bold, boundary-pushing moment in the festival’s history and showcases Wilde’s daring star power.
The premiere of Gregg Araki’s I Want Your Sex at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival on Jan. 23 turned the Utah festival into a hotbed of provocative art and raw sexuality. Olivia Wilde, 41, leads a cast that includes Cooper Hoffman, Charli XCX, Daveed Diggs, Mason Gooding, Chase Sui Wonders, Johnny Knoxville and Margaret Cho. The film’s debut was a reminder that Sundance remains a place for risk-taking cinema.
The Film and Its Premise
I Want Your Sex centers on a Los Angeles art gallery that hosts a “sadomasochistic game” as described in the official Sundance synopsis. The story follows an artist who hires a 22-year-old as her sexual muse, leading to a series of kinky encounters involving bondage, costumes, and dildos. The narrative is framed as an “outrageously playful sexual crusade” that challenges misaligned conceptions of kink, predation, exhibition, and generational freedom.
The film’s tone blends humor with a sharp critique of sexual politics. It asks whether the pursuit of pleasure can coexist with genuine connection, and whether the lines between domination and mutual respect can blur without crossing into exploitation.
The Cast and Chemistry
Olivia Wilde’s performance is the linchpin of the film’s impact. She recalls that the first time she met Cooper Hoffman, she felt an instant connection: “the second I met Cooper, I was like, ‘huh, I love you.'” The chemistry between Wilde and Hoffman was intentional from the outset. Araki, 66, insisted the relationship had to be more than a simple dom-sub dynamic; it needed a subtle, almost tender, thread that made audiences root for them.
- Olivia Wilde – protagonist artist, 41
- Cooper Hoffman – 22-year-old sexual muse
- Charli XCX – one of three Sundance premieres this year
- Daveed Diggs – supporting role
- Mason Gooding – supporting role
- Chase Sui Wonders – supporting role
- Johnny Knoxville – supporting role
- Margaret Cho – supporting role
The ensemble’s dynamic is amplified by the film’s explicit content, which is presented with a playful aesthetic rather than gratuitous shock value. Wilde praised Araki’s enthusiasm for the medium, saying, “I wish more people made movies like him.”
Behind the Scenes with Gregg Araki
Araki’s approach to directing is famously rooted in casting. He described the process as 99% casting, stating, “I just said, ‘To do this part, you got to just not give a f- and just want to just f-ing take the plunge because I don’t want to compromise it. And she said, ‘Let’s go.’ And the rest was history.”
Araki has premiered 11 titles at Sundance, making him a fixture in the festival’s history. He recalled that once Wilde committed to the project, the rest of the cast followed, creating a cohesive, daring ensemble. Hoffman, who had not expected to be cast, expressed elation: “I honestly didn’t think I’d get cast, so I just threw my hat in the ring and kept getting closer and closer… and then they said I got the job.”
Sundance 2026 Context
The 2026 Sundance Film Festival ran from Jan. 22 to Feb. 1 in Park City and Salt Lake City, Utah. It was the final iteration of the festival in Utah before moving to Boulder, Colorado in 2027. The 2026 festival was also the first to take place after the passing of founder Robert Redford.
Olivia Wilde’s involvement extends beyond I Want Your Sex. She also directs and stars in The Invite, premiering the following day on Jan. 24. Wilde’s dual role as director and actor underscores her versatility and growing influence in independent cinema.
Takeaways
- Olivia Wilde delivers a bold performance that pushes the boundaries of mainstream film.
- Gregg Araki’s focus on casting and authenticity brings a fresh energy to Sundance’s lineup.
- The film’s exploration of kink and autonomy reflects broader cultural conversations about sexuality.
- Sundance’s 2026 edition serves as a pivotal moment, marking the end of its Utah era and the loss of founder Robert Redford.
I Want Your Sex is more than a provocative debut; it is a statement about the evolving landscape of film and the power of daring storytelling.
