Gregg Araki discusses new film and Gen Z intimacy

Filmmaker Gregg Araki, a prominent figure in the New Queer Cinema movement, is discussing his new black comedy, ‘I Want Your Sex’. The film stars Olivia Wilde as a contemporary artist and Cooper Hoffman as her assistant, exploring complex power dynamics and intimacy.

Araki uses the project to address what he perceives as a growing trend of risk-aversion and prudishness among Gen Z. He cites data suggesting that 24 per cent of Gen Z reported having no sexual activity in a year, a figure double that of a decade ago. Araki argues that the desire for safety and the mediation of life through digital devices have made younger generations ‘fearful of discomfort or vulnerability.’ He contends that avoiding difficult or ‘bad’ romantic experiences deprives individuals of the friction necessary for personal growth and self-discovery.