Chase Sui Wonders Says Her New Sundance Film Is More About Love Than Sex

Despite the provocative title of her new film, I Want Your Sex, Chase Sui Wonders says she isn’t especially eager to watch explicit sex scenes on the big screen.

The 29-year-old actress opened up during a post-screening Q&A at the Sundance Film Festival world premiere, where she spoke candidly about her Gen Z sensibilities and what drew her to the film.

“I feel like a bit of a prude,” Wonders admitted with a laugh. “I don’t love seeing sex on screen all the time. I’m decisively Gen Z.”

Directed by Gregg Araki, the comedy-drama centers on generational attitudes toward sex. Wonders plays Apple, the roommate and closest confidant of Elliot, portrayed by Cooper Hoffman. Elliot becomes involved in a BDSM relationship with his boss, Erika Tracy, a boundary-pushing pop artist played by Olivia Wilde.

Through that relationship, the film explores the tension between older and younger generations, with Wilde’s character often calling out Gen Z for being overly cautious and sex-averse. While Wonders said she personally relates to that discomfort, she hopes the film helps younger audiences feel more open about sex and its portrayal on screen.

“It’s couched in comedy, and it’s joyous,” she explained. “As much as Gen Z bristles at sex, this movie feels like an entry point to being exposed to those conversations.”

Although the film includes several explicit scenes, particularly between Wilde and Hoffman, Wonders stressed that the story goes far deeper than shock value.

“Ultimately, the sex feels secondary,” she said. “It’s a real love story. It’s about obsession and how it can take over your life. At its core, it’s a tragic love story.”

The film also boasts a notable ensemble cast, including Johnny Knoxville and Margaret Cho as police detectives, Charli XCX as Elliot’s sex-averse girlfriend, along with Mason Gooding and Daveed Diggs.

For Wonders, working with Araki was a major draw. “I’ve been a fan of Gregg forever,” she said, noting that his reputation alone was enough to attract such a wide-ranging cast. I Want Your Sex marks Araki’s 11th film to premiere at Sundance, further cementing his long-standing relationship with the festival.

Though the title may promise provocation, Wonders hopes audiences leave seeing something more tender — and more human — beneath the surface.