Olivia Wilde and Cooper Hoffman create Sundance buzz with Gregg Araki’s bold film I Want Your Sex, showcasing daring performances, instant on-set chemistry, and a provocative exploration of intimacy, power, and artistic freedom at the Utah festival.
Hollywood actress and filmmaker Olivia Wilde made waves at the Sundance Film Festival this year, instantly capturing attention alongside rising actor Cooper Hoffman as the two premiered their daring new project, I Want Your Sex. Directed by acclaimed indie filmmaker Gregg Araki, the film has quickly become one of the festival’s most talked-about titles, drawing praise for its fearless storytelling and electric on-screen chemistry.
The film premiered at the Eccles Theater to a packed audience, where Wilde, 41, and Hoffman, 22, appeared together for a post-screening Q&A. According to People magazine, Wilde revealed that her creative connection with Hoffman was immediate. Reflecting on their first meeting, she candidly shared that she felt an instant sense of trust and admiration, a factor that ultimately shaped the authenticity of their performances.
In I Want Your Sex, Wilde plays a provocative and enigmatic artist who hires Hoffman’s character as part of an unconventional power-driven relationship. While the narrative explores themes of dominance, consent, and intimacy, the filmmakers were careful to ensure that the relationship extended far beyond surface-level shock value. Wilde emphasized that the emotional depth between the characters was essential to making the story resonate.
“The relationship couldn’t just be about power dynamics,” Wilde explained during the Q&A. “There had to be something human, something that made the audience strangely root for them and believe that, in their own way, they cared for each other.”
The film is co-written by Gregg Araki and writer Karley Sciortino and is set against the backdrop of a sex-forward Los Angeles art gallery. According to the official Sundance synopsis, the story unfolds through a “playful and provocative journey” that challenges conventional ideas surrounding sexuality, generational attitudes, and personal autonomy. Rather than offering easy answers, the film invites viewers to confront uncomfortable questions about freedom, identity, and desire in modern society.
Wilde praised Araki’s creative energy and uncompromising vision, calling him one of the most passionate filmmakers she has worked with. “His enthusiasm for the medium is contagious,” she said. “I wish more people made films with his level of honesty and courage.”
Araki, who has now premiered 11 films at Sundance, returned the admiration. He described Wilde as a rare, old-school movie star who is unafraid to take risks. Recalling their first conversation, Araki said he made it clear that the role required complete fearlessness. Wilde’s response, he noted, was immediate and decisive, setting the tone for the entire production.
“Directing is ninety-nine percent casting,” Araki remarked. “Once Olivia committed, everything else fell into place. People wanted to be part of something that bold.”
Cooper Hoffman, the son of late Oscar-winning actor Philip Seymour Hoffman, continues to build a reputation as one of Hollywood’s most promising young actors. His collaboration with Wilde marks another significant step in his evolving career, showcasing his willingness to explore complex and challenging material.
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As Sundance audiences continue to buzz about I Want Your Sex, the film is already being hailed as a standout for its fearless performances, provocative themes, and unapologetic storytelling. With Olivia Wilde and Cooper Hoffman at its center, the project underscores Sundance’s enduring reputation as a platform for boundary-pushing cinema that sparks conversation long after the credits roll.
