2026 Sundance Film Festival Movie Review: I Want Your Sex

I Want Your Sex opens with a scene reminiscent of the classic noir Sunset Boulevard. We are introduced to Elliot (Cooper Hoffman) stumbling out of a luxurious mansion in lingerie with blood on his face. He sees the lifeless body of Erika (Olivia Wilde) floating in a pool and jumps in to try to save her. Elliot is arrested and questioned by the cops (Johnny Knoxville and Margaret Cho) and explains the story of how Erika ended up in the pool.

The story of how Elliot and Erika got to this situation is a tale of modern art, control, unrequited love, and, obviously, sex. Elliot gets a job as Erika’s assistant at her art gallery. Erika is a prominent artist known for pushing boundaries in taboo art. She takes a liking to Elliot, and the two start a sexually-charged relationship where Erika uses Elliot for sex of any kind whenever she wants and willingly says yes. And this isn’t your typical booty call. Various sex toys, gags, outfits, and role-playing are used whenever Erika and Elliot meet, and most of the extreme acts happen to Elliot, though he loves every second of it, no matter what Erika does to him. 

But the relationship isn’t perfect, especially when Elliot starts to develop feelings for Erika, despite her seeing him only as a toy to play with. Elliot breaks up with his girlfriend (Charlie XCX, a lifeless performance) and his relationship with his best friend and roommate (Chase Sui Wonders, delightful, yet underused). This ultimately leads to deception, anger, job loss, and personal collapse.

Araki has always been a provocative filmmaker, never shying away from sexual topics in his films. I Want Your Sex starts with Araki having a lot of fun, infusing a speedy, kinetic energy amongst colorful and extravagant sets. The sex scenes between Ericka and Elliot are bizarre, funny, and shocking. Some moments will have you laughing, and other moments will have you sinking into your seat. Wilde and Hoffman, both of whom give excellent performances, have perfect chemistry together, both during the sex scenes and in the office.

But as the film goes on, the energy wanes and Araki’s direction gets messy and lazy. The noir aspect is forgotten, the characters don’t gain any depth, and the fun vanishes. The entire film felt like Araki’s goal was to yell and shame the younger generations, the Gen Zs and Gen Alphas, about the lack of sex they are having and how they have lost their fun and experimentation. While an interesting idea from a provocative, sex-positive filmmaker, Araki seemingly forgot that he had to make an interesting film as well as get his point across. 

While it starts strong, I Want Your Sex can’t maintain its momentum despite strong turns from its lead actors.

I Want Your Sex premiered in the Premiere category at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival.

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