A Dangerous Ride Into Desire
The first trailer for Pillion has landed, and it’s already sparking conversation. Alexander Skarsgård trades in his usual brooding intensity for something more feral and unapologetically commanding. He plays Ray, a domineering biker who exudes leather-clad authority and raw magnetism. The teaser doesn’t shy away from its provocative subject matter, leaning into themes of dominance, submission, and queer desire.
Even in its brief runtime, the trailer suggests a film that refuses to play safe. Skarsgård, in full control, makes every stare, every gesture, and every line drip with both menace and seduction. It’s not just about kink—it’s about power, vulnerability, and what happens when two people crash into each other’s worlds.
Meet Ray and Colin
At the heart of Pillion is the relationship between Ray (Skarsgård) and Colin (Harry Melling). Colin is timid, straight-laced, and out of place in Ray’s rough, hyper-masculine world. The trailer teases their first encounter, where Colin’s buttoned-up demeanor collides with Ray’s unapologetic dominance. From there, a relationship begins that is equal parts intoxicating and destabilizing.
The snippets we see depict their dynamic as both tender and combustible. There’s humor in the awkwardness of Colin trying to adjust to Ray’s lifestyle, but also a palpable tension in the demands Ray places on him. One line in particular—delivered with biting frankness—underscores the film’s refusal to tiptoe around its subject matter: “Buy yourself a butt plug. You’re too tight.” It’s not said for shock value alone; it’s a line that encapsulates the film’s embrace of intimacy, honesty, and unflinching exploration of desire.
From Page to Screen
Pillion is based on the novel Box Hill by Adam Mars-Jones, which delves into themes of queer love, submission, and identity. For the adaptation, director Harry Lighton reimagined parts of the story while holding onto its emotional rawness. Characters were aged up, the narrative streamlined, and the focus sharpened on the relationship between Ray and Colin.
Mars-Jones himself has praised the adaptation, noting how the film captures the same spirit of vulnerability and complexity as the book. Where the novel often leaned into disorienting perspectives, the film retools those elements for cinematic clarity without sacrificing authenticity.
Skarsgård, meanwhile, has leaned fully into the world of fetish aesthetics and biker subculture. Even his appearances on the festival circuit—like showing up in daring leather ensembles and thigh-high boots—feel like an extension of his commitment to the role. It’s performance and promotion merging into one.
Festival Buzz and Critical Acclaim
Pillion premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in the Un Certain Regard section, where it earned a lengthy standing ovation. The reception was a clear sign that its provocative premise had struck a chord with audiences and critics alike.
Early reviews have praised the film for its boldness, describing it as a surprising mix of tenderness, humor, and erotic charge. Critics have also noted how it avoids turning BDSM into spectacle for shock value, instead framing it as a vehicle to explore intimacy, trust, and the complexities of human connection.
Festival buzz has carried into broader critical consensus, with Pillion being hailed as one of the year’s most daring and emotionally charged films. As it makes its way through more festival stops, including the New York Film Festival, anticipation for its wide release continues to grow.
More Than Just Leather and Chains
While the trailer teases plenty of fetish gear, heated glances, and erotic wrestling matches, Pillion is not just about shock or spectacle. At its core, the film asks deeper questions: Can dominance be an act of love? Can surrender lead to freedom? Where does control end and intimacy begin?
For Colin, the journey into Ray’s world is about more than submission—it’s about discovering his own boundaries, desires, and strength. For Ray, dominance is not simply about power, but about connection and the vulnerability that comes when someone dares to hand over control.
Skarsgård’s performance is expectedly commanding, but it’s Melling who provides the emotional counterweight. Together, their dynamic becomes the film’s central engine—raw, uncomfortable, funny, and unexpectedly tender.
Why Pillion Matters
In an era where queer representation on screen is finally expanding, Pillion feels like a daring leap forward. It doesn’t sanitize queer relationships to make them palatable—it leans into their complexity, contradictions, and beauty. It explores kink not as shock fodder but as a legitimate language of intimacy.
With Skarsgård in one of his most audacious roles to date and Melling proving once again that he’s one of the most compelling actors of his generation, Pillion promises to be a film that lingers long after the credits roll.
