Gregg Araki’s film “I Want Your Sex” marks the director’s first project employing an intimacy coordinator, a role that has become increasingly standard in the industry following its official unionization with SAG-AFTRA in 2024. The production starred Cooper Hoffman in his first on-screen sex scene opposite Olivia Wilde, who plays gallery owner Erika Tracey opposite Hoffman’s character Elliot, a college graduate entering a sadomasochistic relationship.
Intimacy coordinator Yehuda Duenyas explained his approach to preparing the actors for the film’s numerous explicit sequences. To manage the physical intensity of various scenes, Duenyas and the cast developed a numerical communication system based on pain and impact levels. During spanking montages, Wilde and Hoffman would test different levels of force and rate them on a scale, with Wilde ultimately realizing she could strike Hoffman with considerable force while still registering as only a seven or eight on his personal scale.
Duenyas characterized Hoffman’s approach to the challenging material as enthusiastic despite initial nervousness. Rather than expressing reluctance about the scenes, Hoffman reportedly demonstrated a willingness to commit fully to the role, comparing his mindset to activities like skydiving where fear and desire coexist. The intimacy coordinator noted that all intimate scenes on set were filmed within the first five days of production, including a complex threesome sequence that required extensive planning regarding camera angles, blocking patterns, and practical considerations such as restraint safety and quick exits.
The film employs high-intensity montages to establish the power dynamics between the characters, including scenes of Hoffman in various states of undress and vulnerability. Duenyas discussed how intimacy coordination functions similarly to stunt coordination or choreography, with considerable behind-the-scenes work invisible to audiences. He emphasized that the film’s messaging centers on encouraging viewers to explore experimentation and vulnerability in their own relationships, reflecting Araki’s established interest in provocative themes throughout his career.
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