‘I Want Your Sex’ Star Criticizes “Unrealistic” Intimate Scenes Turning Off Gen Z

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Olivia Wilde agrees with Generation Z’s view that there’s too much sex depicted in movies and TV shows. A recent UCLA study found that nearly half (48.4%) of those born between 1997 and 2012 feel this way, and Wilde told Variety she shares their perspective. She shared these thoughts while promoting her new film, I Want Your Sex, which she describes as a response to last year’s Babygirl.

I think Gen Z is really insightful. For a long time, movies haven’t shown sex in a very realistic way. Now, there’s a push for more authenticity, which is great. I see that statistic as Gen Z telling us they’re tired of things feeling fake and want to see relationships that are real and genuine. I think that’s a positive change.

This movie offers a fresh and playful look at a young person’s experience with sexual exploration. It’s about trying new things, living life to the fullest, making mistakes, and learning from them. The film uses sex as a way to talk about universal experiences that everyone can relate to.

Greg Arraki’s I Want Your Sex focuses on the developing relationship between Elliot, an artist’s assistant played by Cooper Hoffman, and Erika, a provocative figure portrayed by Wilde. Unlike many films exploring similar themes, their connection is characterized by awkwardness and tension, reflecting the reality of such encounters. Following the #MeToo movement, the production hired an intimacy coordinator – whom Wilde praised as the best in the field – to ensure a safe environment for the actors during the film’s more intimate scenes. This approach sets the movie apart from earlier, more overtly sexualized works.

Intimacy Coordinators are Polarizing Hollywood


Black Bear Pictures

Intimacy coordinators have become common on Hollywood sets for about the past seven years, but some actors feel they hinder genuine connection. Toni Collette, known for her role in Nightmare Alley, is one such performer. She’s reportedly refused to allow intimacy coordinators to contribute to her sex scenes, including during the HBO series The Staircase, where she filmed intimate scenes with Colin Firth and Michael Peterson.

Honestly, I’ve been so comfortable and trusting with the people I’ve been working with on set that having an intimacy coordinator actually felt a little intrusive. There was one scene in particular where I just didn’t think I needed their input, so I politely asked them to step back. It’s not that I don’t appreciate what they do, but I felt really secure and safe with my scene partners, and we had a good flow going.

HBO’s The Idol featured a scene where intimacy coordinators were openly ridiculed. Lily-Rose Depp’s character, Jocelyn, was prevented from undressing for a photoshoot, and when an intimacy coordinator intervened, her manager dismissed the concern with a flippant reference to “human rights.” The manager then forcibly removed the crew member and paid someone $5,000 to ensure they wouldn’t interfere again.

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The unfortunate experiences of actors like Sean Bean and Gwyneth Paltrow haven’t helped the image of the profession. It leaves you wondering: will intimacy coordinators ever truly gain the respect they deserve?

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2026-01-25 20:48