# Gregg Araki film comeback – Sundance R‑rated run > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/gregg-araki-film-comeback > Updated: 2026-08-26T05:00:00.000Z. Sources: 47. Developments: 6. Gregg Araki’s long‑awaited feature *I Want Your Sex* opened in U.S. and French cinemas on 29 July 2024, portraying an erotic‑comedy BDSM relationship between pop‑artist Erika Tracy (Olivia Wilde) and her Gen‑Z assistant Elliot (Cooper Hoffman). The film blended comedy, thriller and eroticism, probing Gen Z’s ambivalence toward sex, housing insecurity and digital intimacy, and was noted for its absurd humor rather than the subversiveness of Araki’s earlier cult work. By mid‑2026, the movie remained a reference point in New Queer Cinema discussions. A re‑presentation at the Sundance Film Festival in July 2026 and a subsequent U.S. theatrical rollout revived debate on Generation Z’s “sex‑negativity,” power dynamics and consent, framed through a police‑interrogation structure with flashbacks exploring workplace hierarchies and the contemporary art world. Critics praised Wilde’s commanding performance, the vivid visual style and a playful homage to *Sunset Boulevard*. In late July 2026, the film launched a limited U.S. run in over 700 venues, positioned as an R‑rated counter‑program to the new *Spider‑Man* release. It earned a 91% Rotten Tomatoes score. The production employed intimacy coordinator Yehuda Duenyas, who used a pain‑scale system to choreograph BDSM scenes, marking the first union‑backed intimacy‑coordination role under SAG‑AFTRA. Recent coverage highlights that the narrative was shaped by statistics showing approximately 30% of Gen Z had not engaged in sexual activity in the previous year. The film features an ensemble including Charli XCX, Margaret Cho, and Johnny Knoxville. While most critics praised the satirical edge, some reviewers found the comedic approach to the subject matter occasionally repetitive. In August 2026, discussions surrounding the film intensified. Araki, marking his first feature in roughly twelve years since his work on *Now Apocalypse*, addressed the film’s themes of risk-aversion among younger generations. ## Claims - Gregg Araki directed the film I Want Your Sex. (corroborated by 10 sources) - Olivia Wilde plays the artist Erika Tracy in I Want Your Sex. (corroborated by 9 sources) - Cooper Hoffman plays Elliot/Eliott in I Want Your Sex. (corroborated by 9 sources) - Karley Sciortino co-wrote I Want Your Sex with Gregg Araki. (corroborated by 9 sources) - Olivia Wilde stars as Erika Tracy in I Want Your Sex. (corroborated by 9 sources) - Cooper Hoffman stars as Elliot/Eliott in I Want Your Sex. (corroborated by 9 sources) - Gregg Araki, aged 66, directed the film I Want Your Sex. (corroborated by 8 sources) - The film depicts a BDSM‑type relationship between a mid‑40s artist and a Gen Z assistant. (corroborated by 8 sources) - I Want Your Sex was released in theaters on 29 July 2024. (corroborated by 7 sources) - I Want Your Sex is Gregg Araki's first feature film since 2014. (corroborated by 7 sources) - I Want Your Sex was released in cinemas on 29 July. (corroborated by 6 sources) - I Want Your Sex was released in cinemas on 29 July 2024. (corroborated by 6 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-26: Gregg Araki discusses new film and Gen Z intimacy Filmmaker Gregg Araki discusses his new film ‘I Want Your Sex’, starring Olivia Wilde, while critiquing Gen Z's perceived trend toward romantic risk-aversion and digital mediation. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/gregg-araki-discusses-new-film-and-gen-z-intimacy ### 2026-08-23: Gregg Araki returns with new erotic thriller ‘I Want Your Sex’ Director Gregg Araki returns to cinema with the erotic thriller ‘I Want Your Sex’, starring Olivia Wilde, Cooper Hoffman, and Charli XCX. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/gregg-araki-returns-with-new-erotic-thriller-i-want-your-sex ### 2026-07-31: Olivia Wilde's Film 'I Want Your Sex' Opens with R‑Rated Release and Intimacy Coordination Gregg Araki’s R‑rated film I Want Your Sex, starring Olivia Wilde and Cooper Hoffman, opened in U.S. theaters with an intimacy coordinator overseeing its BDSM scenes. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/olivia-wildes-film-i-want-your-sex-opens-with-rrated-release-and-intimacy-coordination ### 2026-07-31: Gregg Araki's film 'I Want Your Sex' examines Gen Z's declining sexual activity Gregg Araki's comeback film I Want Your Sex stars Olivia Wilde and Cooper Hoffman, using a statistic on Gen Z's low sexual activity to explore generational intimacy gaps. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/gregg-arakis-film-i-want-your-sex-examines-gen-zs-declining-sexual-activity ### 2026-07-29: Gregg Araki's 'I Want Your Sex' Sparks Discussion on Gen Z Sexuality Gregg Araki’s comeback film I Want Your Sex, starring Olivia Wilde and Cooper Hoffman, mixes BDSM comedy with a critique of Gen Z’s sexual attitudes, sparking varied reviews after its Sundance debut. 18 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/gregg-arakis-i-want-your-sex-premieres-at-sundance-marking-his-indie-film-comeback ### 2026-07-27: Gregg Araki's 'I Want Your Sex' premieres worldwide Gregg Araki’s first film since 2014, I Want Your Sex, debuted 29 July 2024 starring Olivia Wilde and Cooper Hoffman, exploring a BDSM relationship and Gen Z sexuality; the director urged sexual adventure at Out 11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/gregg-arakis-i-want-your-sex-premieres-in-cinemas-july-29 --- Cite as: Gregg Araki film comeback – Sundance R‑rated run. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/gregg-araki-film-comeback