Cooper Hoffman reveals mom’s hilarious reaction to intimate scenes with Olivia Wilde
The actor says his mother loved 'I Want Your Sex' but admitted she had to 'look away' during intimate scenes
Cooper Hoffman is opening up about his family’s reaction to his latest film, I Want Your Sex, admitting that watching some of its intimate scenes made for an awkward experience.
The 23-year-old actor stars opposite Olivia Wilde in Gregg Araki’s new dramedy, playing Elliott, a recent college graduate who begins an unconventional relationship with Wilde’s character, Erika, an artist with a dominant personality.
Speaking to People, Hoffman revealed that his mother, costume designer and theater director Mimi O’Donnell, watched the film and ultimately gave it her approval — even if she found parts of it difficult to sit through.
“She loved it,” Hoffman said. “She was like, ‘I had to look away and cover my ears for some of it,’ and I was like, ‘Totally fine.’”
Despite her reaction, Hoffman said his mother appreciated the film because of her artistic background.
“She really loved it,” he added. “My mom also grew up in theater, and she’s just an artist at heart. She knows the game.”
While he was comfortable with his mother seeing the movie, Hoffman admitted he feels far more nervous about his younger sisters, Tallulah and Willa, eventually watching it.
“I’m not showing them,” he joked. “I’m not like, ‘Gotta get you to watch this.’”
He added that his sisters have already teased him after seeing promotional material for the film.
“My sisters keep calling me, and they’re like, ‘I really can’t believe you did this movie,’” Hoffman said. “I was like, ‘I know. I’m so sorry.’”
The actor also revealed that longtime friends have been sending him screenshots from the film’s trailer, while co-star Chase Sui Wonders said even former teachers had reached out after seeing previews.
Despite the playful reactions, Hoffman said he is proud of the finished project and praised his castmates for making challenging scenes easier to perform.
“The nice thing about working with talented actors is you’re not having to overcompensate in any way,” he said. “All I had to do is act.”
Directed by Gregg Araki, I Want Your Sex also stars Chase Sui Wonders, Charli XCX, Daveed Diggs and Mason Gooding. The film is now playing in theaters.