Overview
- Olivia Wilde and Cooper Hoffman lead the erotic comedy-thriller about a dom–sub relationship set in Los Angeles’ art world, with explicit kink central to the story.
- Reviews highlight sharp comic energy, stylish direction and the chemistry of the leads, marking Araki’s first feature in over a decade.
- The film employs a noir-tinged framing device that complements its satirical take on power, desire and modern intimacy without dwelling on graphic detail.
- Co-writer Karley Sciortino drew on a personal coming-of-age experience, and Araki says the dominant character was gender-swapped to a woman during post-#MeToo rewrites.
- Sundance screenings were packed with indie buyers including executives from Magnolia, Roadside and Mubi, and the completed Black Bear title is currently without a distributor.