By Juan Markos
Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 07/24/2026
I attended the Opening Night of OutfestNext last night and had the pleasure of meeting Gregg Araki. I also watched the screening of his new film, I Want Your Sex. It has been ten years since he directed a film, and it was long overdue, if you ask me. He’s one of my favorite directors and has created some of my favorite movies. I first discovered him in high school when I watched The Doom Generation at a friend’s house, and since then, I’ve casually explored his films throughout my life. His work has significantly impacted me, whether through personal connections or new insights into human nature.
Last night, I had the opportunity to chat with him, and he mentioned that his films are about the grey area of human experiences. This is a simple yet beautiful way to describe his work, particularly when I sometimes think his concepts are more sophisticated than that. He often addresses gender norms and portrays sexuality as a fluid expression, which he does wonderfully in I Want Your Sex.
The film is co-written by Araki and Karley Sciortino and features a talented cast, including Olivia Wilde, Cooper Hoffman, Daveed Diggs, Charli XCX, Mason Gooding, and many more. I was excited to see a cameo by Roxane Mesquida; I love her on screen, and I appreciate that Araki continues to cast her. I first noticed her in a film by my favorite French director, Fat Girl.
I Want Your Sex is fun, funny, and sexy. It centers around Elliot, played by Cooper Hoffman, and his complex relationship with his narcissistic boss, portrayed by Olivia Wilde, who is an eccentric modern artist. She is manipulative and engages Elliot in a cat-and-mouse game, evolving their superior-inferior work dynamic into a full-blown dominant-submissive relationship where she pushes every conceivable boundary. Araki often casts charming and unique men, and I instantly got heart eyes for Cooper Hoffman; there’s definitely something captivating about him.
The film begins with a police interrogation, featuring officers played by Margaret Cho and Johnny Knoxville. Elliot recounts his experiences with his manipulative boss, who has gone missing, leading to a tumult of emotions. His girlfriend is played by Charli XCX, who brings a humorous energy to the role and ultimately dumps him, not at all amused by his situation. I would love to see her take on more acting roles.
Following the screening, there was a Q&A session with Gregg Araki.
Overall, I Want Your Sex is a must-watch film; it’s entertaining and humorous, and I hope it helps Generation Z explore the wonders of sexual discovery in their youth. The film is set to be released in theaters on July 31, 2026. Check out the trailer here.
