Gregg Araki continues to push artistic boundaries with Sex

Magnolia Pictures sneaks in I Want Your Sex at the end of July and this summer flick doesn't suffer fools easily. It took a queer team and valuable allies to bring an unusual relationship to life in a contemporary art setting.

This irreverent adventure begins with a possible pool accident, then skips back nine and a half weeks before the occurrence to tell a tale that will eventually catch up to the current timeline. What starts as an homage to the film 9 1/2 Weeks evolves into Erika and Elliot's own unique erotic journey.

Olivia Wilde portrays Erika Tracy with gusto as an artist on a mission to show her assistant Elliot the ropes. She becomes a sexual spiritual guide and mentor to Elliot, conveyed by Cooper Hoffman as a likable and relatable everyman.

The duo goes through unpredictable twists and turns that entertain over the course of 90 minutes. The flashback film eventually jumps forward two years for an unforgettable twisted ending to the tune of Jessie Ware's “Free Yourself.”

Gregg Araki continues to push erotic boundaries while having fun with the material in his signature style. With Brown Bunny and January 6 references, he's pulling no punches this time.

He serves as director and co-writer for this comedy. His collaborator Karley Sciortino also worked with him on the underrated Starz series Now Apocalypse.

There are dream sequences and cartoon fantasies that The Doom Generation director is known for throughout this piece.

The dynamic costume designs come from Monica Chamberlain and Arianne Phillips. Olivia Wilde wears some showstopping outfits and she is having a stellar year after directing and starring in The Invite.

Charli XCX has a moment as Elliot's girlfriend Minerva and other cameos include a stiff named Detective Zem played by Johnny Knoxville and a stoic Detective Zola from Margaret Cho.

Araki is often restrained with this endeavor, but he is in his element for the art gallery scenes that give more of a nightclub feel in the setting.

I Want Your Sex is a rollercoaster until the bitter end, so buckle up for safety and enjoy the thrill ride. Find Sex in theaters everywhere on July 31, 2026.