‘I Want Your Sex’ Release Date, Plot, Cast and Everything You Need to Know

Olivia Wilde is taking on one of the most daring roles of her career, and excitement is building among audiences. Her upcoming film ‘I Want Your Sex,’ directed by New Queer Cinema pioneer Gregg Araki, is heading to theaters with a buzz that began at its scandalous Sundance debut.

This erotic thriller comedy has sparked discussions among critics and fans alike, focusing on its provocative themes and surprisingly tender moments. As the release date approaches, here’s everything you need to know about the film.

‘I Want Your Sex’ is scheduled for a limited theatrical release in the United States on July 31, 2026, distributed by Magnolia Pictures. It will compete with four other films on the same date, including ‘Spider-Man Brand New Day,’ ‘The Gentleman Thief,’ and ‘The Samurai and the Prisoner.’

Prior to its theatrical release, the film premiered at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival on January 23, 2026. It also showcased at the 43rd Miami Film Festival, the 23rd Indianapolis Film Festival, and the 73rd Sydney Film Festival. As it will only be shown in select markets, moviegoers should keep an eye on local listings.

Leading the cast is Olivia Wilde as Erika Tracy, a renowned artist, icon, and provocateur. Wilde portrays a once-celebrated artist whose main focus is the bedroom dynamics.

Cooper Hoffman stars opposite her as Elliot, a naive twentysomething drawn into Erika’s world. Araki describes Elliot as a kind-hearted but unmotivated young man whose dreams come true when he secures a job with the famous artist.

The film features a strong supporting cast, including Mason Gooding, Chase Sui Wonders, Johnny Knoxville, Margaret Cho, Roxane Mesquida, Charli XCX, and Tony Award winner Daveed Diggs. Chase Sui Wonders plays Elliot’s best friend and roommate, while pop star Charli XCX appears as a character named Minerva.

Despite sharing a cast, Wilde noted that she and Charli XCX never met on set. They communicated via text, with Wilde praising Charli as inspiring and a part of the female empowerment movement in music, even though their characters do not interact in the film.

The plot centers on Elliot as he lands what appears to be a dream job with Erika Tracy. The narrative explores their sadomasochistic relationship, which quickly escalates from fantasy to a spiraling nightmare filled with lust, power, murder, and betrayal.

The film does not shy away from explicit content, opening with a shocking scene of Erika in a swimming pool while Elliot, dressed in pink lingerie, screams in terror, before flashing back to when Elliot first becomes infatuated with her.

However, the cast emphasizes that there is more depth to the story. Chase Sui Wonders remarked that while the film features explicit scenes, it ultimately revolves around obsession and is, at its core, a tragic love story.

The initial trailer revealed the extent of Araki’s boldness, showcasing elements like ball gags, whips, and a disastrous threesome, as Wilde’s character engages in a sadomasochistic relationship with her assistant.

The trailer’s release has generated significant buzz, with critics giving the film an 89 percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The consensus praises it as one of Araki’s most accessible works, highlighting the performances of Wilde and Hoffman.

The film has received an R rating and runs for 90 minutes, featuring toplessness, threesomes, and S&M, all wrapped in a satirical take on the art world. Wilde has described the explicit content as intentional, framing the film as a playful exploration of the sexual revolution of youth, using sex as a metaphor for universal experiences.

With the buzz from Sundance, a competitive bidding war, and a strong Rotten Tomatoes score, ‘I Want Your Sex’ is poised to be one of the most talked-about theatrical surprises of the season. What do you think Wilde and Araki aim to convey about power, desire, and obsession as Elliot’s fantasy job spirals out of control?