Pillion (film)
| Pillion | |
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Harry Lighton |
| Written by | Harry Lighton |
| Based on | |
| Produced by |
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| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Nick Morris |
| Edited by | Gareth C. Scales |
| Music by | Oliver Coates |
Production companies | |
| Distributed by | |
Release dates |
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Running time | 107 minutes[1] |
| Countries |
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| Language | English |
| Budget | £814,000[2] ($1 million) |
| Box office | $6.6 million[3] |
Pillion is a 2025 romantic dark comedy drama film[4][5][6] written and directed by Harry Lighton, based on the 2020 novel Box Hill by Adam Mars-Jones. The film stars Harry Melling as a timid gay man and Alexander Skarsgård as an enigmatic biker who start a BDSM relationship.
Pillion had its premiere in the Un Certain Regard section of the 78th Cannes Film Festival, where it won the section's Best Screenplay prize and the Palm Dog for Mutt Moment. It was released in cinemas in the United Kingdom on 28 November 2025 by Warner Bros. Pictures and Picturehouse Entertainment. It received critical acclaim, with particular praise for Lighton's writing and directing, as well as the performances of Melling and Skarsgård.
At the 28th British Independent Film Awards, the film earned ten nominations and won in four categories, including Best British Independent Film. It was nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay, Outstanding British Film, and Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer (for Lighton) at the 79th British Academy Film Awards. Lighton also won Best Adapted Screenplay at the 35th Gotham Independent Film Awards.
Plot
[edit]Colin, a shy, introverted gay man, lives with his parents in Bromley, London, and works a menial job assigning parking tickets while pursuing his hobby of singing in a barbershop quartet. One evening at the pub, he is slipped a note by Ray, a handsome member of a local biker club. The two meet on Christmas Day at a high street alleyway, where Ray wordlessly ushers Colin to perform oral sex on him. After the hookup, Colin suggests seeing Ray again, but Ray replies that he is not often around.
Colin texts Ray, but receives no response. Eventually, Ray invites Colin to his home, where Colin is initiated into a strict BDSM relationship: Colin cooks, cleans, and shops, sleeps on the floor, and obeys Ray's every command. In return, Colin enjoys an intense but controlled sexual relationship with Ray, in which they never kiss. Acclimating to Ray's lifestyle, Colin shaves his head, wears a chained padlock around his neck (with Ray wearing the key) [a] and joins Ray's fetish biker community. Meanwhile, Colin's parents express their worries about how little Colin knows about Ray.
Though Ray does not celebrate Colin's birthday, the bikers throw a surprise party for him and they all go on a road trip. During this time, Colin witnesses different BDSM dynamics and sees a dominant and submissive kiss. Colin finds himself in a line-up of four men wearing chaps, leaning side-by-side over a picnic table, positioned to be fucked by their doms. Ray has one of the other subs fellate him in front of Colin, much to Colin's chagrin. Ray then proceeds to have sex with Colin in the missionary position for the first time, and Colin delights in the intimacy.
Given Colin's pleas and the fact Colin's mother is terminally ill, Ray finally relents in meeting Colin's parents. They fail to understand the couple's dynamic, resulting in an argument in which Colin's mother accuses Ray of mistreating and taking advantage of Colin and Ray accuses Colin's mother of a "backwards", "ignorant" worldview.
Some weeks later, Colin's mother dies. Following the funeral, Colin has a breakdown while cooking Ray's dinner, deliberately burning his hands. Ray helps Colin, orders them pizza and jokes around with Colin during dinner, and finally allows Colin to sleep in the bed with him for the first time, where Ray unknowingly cuddles Colin in his sleep. Colin confesses his love to Ray, but Ray replies that love is not the basis of their relationship. When Colin asks to be allowed to sleep in the bed again and to have a day off from his submissive role each week, Ray flatly refuses. The two fight, and Colin steals Ray's motorcycle and rides into the night.
The next morning, upon returning to Ray's house, Colin is shocked to find Ray has agreed they should enjoy a day off from their dominant and submissive dynamic. Colin is initially unsure what they should do as a "normal" couple. The two go to the cinema, where Ray touches Colin's thigh before giving him a handjob, and the two are chased out. After eating at a restaurant, they go to the park where they wrestle and share their first kiss. Colin is excited, but seems to read the sadness on Ray's face afterwards.
The next day, Ray disappears entirely, and Colin unsuccessfully attempts to locate him. Some time later, realising that Ray has definitely abandoned him, Colin makes an account on Grindr, seeking a new BDSM relationship—now with a better understanding of his limits and being more assertive about his demands—and he meets up with a new dom, Darren, at a football pitch.
Cast
[edit]- Harry Melling as Colin
- Alexander Skarsgård as Ray
- Douglas Hodge as Pete,[7] Colin's father
- Lesley Sharp as Peggy, Colin's mother
- Jake Shears as Kevin
- Mat Hill as Steve
- Nick Figgis as Don
- Zoe Engenrer as Don's wife
- Jake Sharp as Chigs
- Jacob Carter as Cousin Roy
- Cristina Carty as a colleague
- Zamir Mesiti as an usher
- Rosie Sheehy as Megan
- Miranda Bell as an elderly local
- Monica Purcell as the elder local friend
- Anthony Welsh as Darren[8]
- Maggie as Rosie (uncredited), Ray's rottweiler
Production
[edit]Development
[edit]On 8 May 2024, Variety reported that Harry Lighton would make his feature directorial debut with Pillion from a screenplay he wrote, based on the 2020 novel Box Hill by Adam Mars-Jones.[9] The film is a co-production between the UK and Ireland.[10] Element Pictures, BBC Film and the British Film Institute produced and financed the film, with Picturehouse Entertainment set to distribute in the United Kingdom.[9] Emma Norton, Ed Guiney, Lee Groombridge, and Andrew Lowe produced the film.[11] The score was composed by Oliver Coates.[11] Nick Morris was the director of photography and Gareth C. Scales was the editor.[11]
Lighton spent a weekend with the real-life members of the Gay Bikers Motorcycle Club (GBMCC) while researching for the film.[12] They also served as advisors and appear in the film playing themselves as members of the gay biker gang.[13][14]
Lighton met up with Paul Tallis, a London-based Welsh gay biker during his research. Lighton subsequently offered Tallis a part in the film as part of Ray's biker gang, incorporating Tallis's human pup persona to bring the film into the current era. Melling also spent a day riding as a pillion on Paul Tallis's motorbike, learning about the BDSM community, boot licking, and submissive behaviour.[15]
Casting
[edit]In May 2024, Harry Melling and Alexander Skarsgård joined the cast of the film, with Skarsgård also serving as executive producer.[9]
Scissor Sisters' lead vocalist Jake Shears made his screen acting debut in Pillion playing a gay biker, Kevin.[16] Casting director Kahleen Crawford invited Shears for the film after she saw him in the musical Cabaret.[16] Shears had been acquainted with Skarsgård through friends from years before and was excited to see him and work in the film.[16] Shears—who was not familiar with the gay biker and BDSM world that is portrayed in the film—read The Leatherman's Handbook to prepare for his role.[16]
Filming
[edit]Principal photography took place in London and South East England, starting on 29 July and wrapping in early September 2024. Shooting locations included Bromley in London, Lullingstone Castle and Sevenoaks in Kent.[17][18][19] The locations were chosen due to the proximity to London for budgetary reasons, and one of the producers, Lee Groombridge, grew up in the area.[20] Skarsgård wears a prosthetic penis with a Prince Albert piercing in the picnic fellatio scene.[21]
Different cuts
[edit]Lighton said that several scenes from the film were cut from the version that was shown during its world premiere at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, and that there could be some more cuts to ensure the film gets released in the United States. Skarsgård added: "There's definitely a raunchier version of this movie... what you've seen is the family friendly version... there's also the Alexander Skarsgård cut." Speaking to Variety following the film's premiere, Lighton explained:
It was purely because I didn't want to push the audience into feeling they were being deliberately shocked by an image. So for example, there was one close up of a dick, a hard dick... like down the barrel of the lens. And after watching the film on that 'fuck-off' screen I thought, yeah, cutting it was probably the right decision![22]
Lighton later revealed in a Reddit "ask me anything" on the film, that there is no director's cut of the film and Skarsgård was only joking.[23]
Release
[edit]In October 2024, A24 acquired US distribution rights to the film.[24] It had its world premiere in the Un Certain Regard section of the Cannes Film Festival on 18 May 2025,[25][26] where it earned a seven-minute standing ovation at the end of its screening.[27]
Pillion had its British premiere on 18 October 2025 at the Southbank Centre as part of the BFI London Film Festival.[28] The film was released in cinemas in the United Kingdom on 28 November 2025 by Picturehouse and Warner Bros. Pictures UK[29][30] and in the United States on 6 February 2026 by A24.[31] It was released on digital platforms in the UK on 12 January 2026.[32]
During the various premieres, a number of gay leather clubs were invited to come to watch the film including SLM Stockholm and Leathermen of Ireland.[33][34]
In cinemas in the United States, the film was released Not Rated despite the director wanting an NC-17 rating on the MPA scale.[35] In its native UK and Ireland, it received an 18 certificate by both the BBFC and the IFCO due to sex and nudity.[36][37]
Reception
[edit]Critical response
[edit]On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 99% of 198 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 8.1/10. The website's consensus reads: "A remarkable directorial debut by Harry Lighton, Pillion is an unconventional romance that soars thanks to its nonjudgmental perspective and knockout performances."[38]
Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 85 out of 100, based on 39 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".[39]
Richard Lawson of Vanity Fair wrote: "Pillion gives little indication that Lighton is a first-time feature director. The film is confidently staged and handsomely styled, elegantly gliding through Colin and Ray's adventure (or misadventure) with a keen eye for detail and texture. The beauty of Pillion is that those of us watching on the sidelines are not voyeurs, but rather witnesses to something powerfully complex and human."[4]
Peter Debruge of Variety called the film "a steamy art-house psychodrama that's fairly light on analysis but not at all shy about showing the germ of one man's titillating new turn-on", and "laced with a wry sense of humor, Pillion manages to be both understated and explicit in the way Lighton presents practically everything that happens in Colin and Ray's unconventional relationship."[40]
Cédric Succivalli of the International Cinephile Society described Pillion as "an exceptional introduction to [Harry] Lighton as a filmmaker" and praised its blend of dark humour, psychological thriller elements, and strong performances.[41] Pavel Snapkou of Showbiz by PS called Pillion "a delicate, emotionally intelligent study of identity, desire, and self-discovery" that balances shock value with psychological realism.[42]
Dieter Osswald praised the lightheartedness of the debut on the leading German Arthaus portal Programmkino.de stating: "In contrast to the lackluster Hollywood fiasco Fifty Shades of Grey, this small indie production presents a relaxed and amusing look into the world of sadomasochism".[43] Spectrum Culture praised Melling's performance, calling it one of the best of 2025: "...Skarsgard got the zippier lines, and rightfully so. That said, without Melling, there simply is no movie worth talking about."[44]
Accolades
[edit]Notes
[edit]- ↑ A padlocked chain necklace/collar in a BDSM context usually indicates the sub, while a necklace with a padlock key indicates the dom in such a relationship.
References
[edit]- ↑ "Pillion (2025)". Irish Film Classification Office. 6 October 2025. Retrieved 6 October 2025.
- ↑ Tabbara, Mona (27 December 2024). "'The Thing With Feathers', 'Pillion' among key 2024 BFI production awards". Screen Daily. Retrieved 4 December 2025.
- ↑ "Pillion". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
- 1 2 Lawson, Richard (18 May 2025). "Alexander Skarsgård Is the Dom of One Sub's Dreams in the Affecting Drama Pillion". Vanity Fair. Archived from the original on 18 May 2025. Retrieved 19 October 2025.
- ↑ Rubin, Rebecca (1 October 2025). "'Pillion' Trailer: Alexander Skarsgard Gets Naked and Kinky in A24's Gay S&M Romance Comedy". Variety.
- ↑ Roxborough, Scott (25 September 2025). "Alexander Skarsgard and Harry Melling on 'Pillion' and Bringing Awkward Sex Back to Movies: Zurich". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
- ↑ Garner, Glenn (18 May 2025). "'Pillion' Review: Alexander Skarsgård Is Dom For The Holidays & Harry Melling Is Hopelessly Devoted In Steamy BDSM Romance — Cannes Film Festival". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ "Anthony Welsh". B-Side Management & Production. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- 1 2 3 Ritman, Alex (8 May 2024). "Harry Melling to Play Alexander Skarsgard's Submissive in Kinky Queer Romance 'Pillion' From Element Pictures, Cornerstone Launching in Cannes". Variety. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
- ↑ Katz, David (14 April 2025). "Alexander Skarsgård and Harry Melling lead Harry Lighton's Cannes-bound Pillion". Cineuropa.
- 1 2 3 "Pillion". Cineuropa. Retrieved 30 October 2025.
- ↑ "Bringing Real Bikers to the Big Screen – Harry Lighton and Alexander Skarsgård on 'Pillion'". 11 July 2025 – via YouTube.
- ↑ Rooney, David (18 May 2025). "'Pillion' Review: Alexander Skarsgard and Harry Melling Are Fearless in Graphic but Surprisingly Tender Study of a Sub/Dom Queer Romance". The Hollywood Reporter.
- ↑ Canfield, David (17 May 2025). "Alexander Skarsgård Is the Dom, Harry Melling the Sub, and Pillion Their Kinky, Sweet Love Story". Vanity Fair. Retrieved 31 August 2025.
- ↑ PILLION - Cast Introduction - Featured biker (puppy) from the film - Question and Answers (video). 16 October 2025 – via YouTube.
- 1 2 3 4 Garner, Glenn (3 June 2025). "Scissor Sisters' Jake Shears Talks 'Pillion' Acting Debut & "Shocking" NSFW Sex Scene With Alexander Skarsgård: "My Jaw Was On The Floor"". Deadline Hollywood.
- ↑ Daniels, Nia (30 July 2024). "Filming begins on Pillion with Alexander Skarsgård and Harry Melling". The Knowledge.
- ↑ Roden, Chloe (23 September 2024). "What's been filming in England? July – September 2024". Filming in England.
- ↑ Harry, Lighton [@hlighton]; (6 September 2024). "That's a wrap on Pillion!". Retrieved 5 August 2025 – via Instagram.
- ↑ "Hi /r/movies. I'm Harry Lighton, writer-director of A24's PILLION. It stars Alexander Skarsgård & Harry Melling and it's out now in select theaters. Ask me anything!". 16 February 2026. Retrieved 16 February 2026 – via Reddit.
- ↑ Barber, Nicholas (14 February 2026). "Skinny‑dipping, prosthetic penises and a last-minute afterparty: Nine memorable moments in the 'Pillion' journey". Screen Daily. Media Business Insight. Retrieved 20 March 2026.
- ↑ Ritman, Alex (20 May 2025). "Alexander Skarsgard Jokes There's a 'Raunchier' Cut of Kinky BDSM Romance 'Pillion' That Wasn't Shown in Cannes: 'What You've Seen Is the Family-Friendly Version'". Variety.
- ↑ "Hi /r/movies. I'm Harry Lighton, writer-director of A24's PILLION. It stars Alexander Skarsgård & Harry Melling and it's out now in select theaters. Ask me anything!". 16 February 2026. Retrieved 16 February 2026 – via Reddit.
- ↑ Ritman, Alex (9 October 2024). "A24 Acquires 'Pillion,' Alexander Skarsgard and Harry Melling's Kinky Queer Romance". Variety. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
- ↑ Ntim, Zac (10 April 2025). "Cannes Competition: Aster, Trier, Dardennes, Reichardt, Ducournau & Wes Anderson Among Lineup — Full List". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
- ↑ "The Screenings Guide of the 78th Festival de Cannes" (PDF). Cannes Film Festival. 8 May 2025. p. 7. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
- ↑ Gardner, Chris (18 May 2025). "Alexander Skarsgard Kisses Pedro Pascal on Cheek During Ravenous Standing Ovation for 'Pillion'". The Hollywood Reporter.
- ↑ "Galas – Pillion". BFI London Film Festival.
- ↑ "Pillion | Showtimes and Tickets". Picturehouse Cinemas. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
- ↑ Picturehouse (8 October 2025). PILLION - Official Trailer - Harry Melling, Alexander Skarsgård. Retrieved 8 October 2025 – via YouTube.
- ↑ Weisburd, Audrey. "Trailer for A24's Queer Biker Romance Pillion Fuses Kink and Comedy". Paste.
- ↑ Powster. "Pillion | Official Website | 28 November 2025". Pillion.film. Retrieved 12 January 2026.
- ↑ SLM Stockholm [@slmsthlm]; (12 November 2025). "The SLM boys with Alexander Skarsgård at the Swedish premiere of @pillionmovie at @stockholmfilmfestival 🖤" – via Instagram.
- ↑ O'Brien, John [@rubjob]; (25 November 2025). "What a fantastic night at the premier of @pillionfilm in the @lighthousecinema The movie is fantastic – DO NOT MISS IT!! @harrym3l is fantastic as Colin and it was lovely to meet him. Thanks you @lighthousecinema – thank you @glennhogarty thank you Aisling O'Brien Thanks to all from @leathermen_of_ireland @outinkink and @irishbish for attending A great night xxx" – via Instagram.
- ↑ Turner, Gustavo (1 April 2026). "Cut or Uncut? How Much of Alexander Skarsgård's (Fake) Penis Are 'Pillion' Viewers Getting at Home?". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2 April 2026.
- ↑ "Pillion". British Board of Film Classification. Retrieved 3 April 2026.
- ↑ "Pillion (2025)". Irish Film Classification Office. Retrieved 3 April 2026.
- ↑ "Pillion". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved 20 June 2026.
- ↑ "Pillion". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved 27 February 2026.
- ↑ Debruge, Peter (18 May 2025). "'Pillion' Review: Edgy Queer Romance Stars Alexander Skarsgård as a Sexy Biker and Harry Melling as His Budding Submissive". Variety.
- ↑ Succivalli, Cédric (18 May 2025). "Cannes 2025 review: Pillion (Harry Lighton)". International Cinephile Society.
- ↑ Snapkou, Pavel (3 June 2025). "Movie Review: Pillion by Harry Lighton (Cannes Un Certain Regard)". Showbiz by PS.
- ↑ Löhndorf, Timo (10 November 2025). "Pillion". Programmkino (in German). Retrieved 10 November 2025.
- ↑ "Best Film Performances of 2025".
- 1 2 "The films of the Official Selection 2025". Festival de Cannes. 10 April 2025. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
- ↑ Ntim, Zac (23 May 2025). "Chilean Drama 'The Mysterious Gaze Of The Flamingo' Wins Top Un Certain Regard Prize — Cannes". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
- ↑ Queer Palm [@queerpalm]; (9 May 2025). "SELECTION QUEER PALM 2025 2/5" – via Instagram.
- ↑ Wise, Damon (24 May 2025). "Palm Dog: 'The Love That Remains', 'Sirât', 'Pillion' And 'Amores Perros' Honored – Cannes Film Festival". Deadline Hollywood.
Mutt Moment — for the year's best scene-stealer — went to the British Un Certain Regard film Pillion for its long-haired Dachshund Hippo and Rottweiler Rosie.
- ↑ Ross, Rollo; Murray, Miranda (23 May 2025). "Icelandic sheepdog named Panda claims Palm Dog's top prize at Cannes". Reuters. Retrieved 31 August 2025.
- ↑ "Avance de Seminci: estos son los nombres que competirán por la Espiga de Oro". Cadena SER. 24 July 2025.
- ↑ Blanes, Pepa (1 November 2025). "Espiga de Oro 'ex aequo' para 'The Mastermind' de Kelly Reichardt y para la producción española 'Magallanes' de Lav Diaz". Cadena SER (in Spanish). Retrieved 1 November 2025.
- ↑ Vourlias, Christopher (9 November 2025). "Sudanese Drama 'Cotton Queen' Wins Golden Alexander Award at Thessaloniki Film Festival". Variety. Retrieved 16 November 2025.
- ↑ "Alexander Skarsgård får utmärkelsen Stockholm Achievement Award". Stockholm International Film Festival (in Swedish). Retrieved 14 November 2025.
- ↑ "Here are the winners of the Stockholm International Film Festival 2025". Mynewsdesk. 14 November 2025. Retrieved 14 November 2025.
- ↑ Ford, Lily; Szalai, Georg (3 November 2025). "British Independent Film Awards: 'My Father's Shadow' and 'Pillion' Lead Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
- ↑ Szalai, Georg; Ford, Lily (30 November 2025). "'Pillion' Dominates BIFA Awards, 'Sentimental Value' Wins Best International Film". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 1 December 2025.
- ↑ Ntim, Zac (20 November 2025). "British Independent Film Awards: 'Pillion' & 'Die My Love' Among Craft Winners". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
- ↑ Goldsmith, Jill (28 October 2025). "Gotham Awards Film Nominations: 'One Battle After Another' Leads Pack; Multiple Noms For 'If I Had Legs I'd Kick You', 'It Was Just An Accident', 'No Other Choice'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
- ↑ Staff, R. T. "Rotten Tomatoes Awards: Best Movies & TV Winners 2025". editorial.rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved 19 January 2026.
- ↑ Ntim, Zac (15 December 2025). "'One Battle After Another' Leads London Critics' Circle Film Awards Nominations – Full List". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
- ↑ "DGA Announces Nominees for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Theatrical Feature Film for 2025". Directors Guild of America. 8 January 2026. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
- ↑ Shachat, Sarah (8 January 2026). "Casting Society Award Nominees Include 'Sinners,' 'Wake Up Dead Man,' and 'Pillion'". IndieWire. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
- ↑ "Longlists: 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards". Bafta. 9 January 2026. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
- ↑ "Fido Awards 2026 - British films dominate doggy award winners". Close-UpFilm. 2 March 2026. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ↑ Anderson, Erik (14 January 2026). "'One Battle After Another,' 'Sinners,' Eva Victor Lead in LGBTQ Critics 2026 Dorian Film Award Nominations". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 26 March 2026.
- ↑ McNiece, Mia (3 March 2026). "'Sinners' scores 7 wins at Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics' annual Dorian Film Awards". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 26 March 2026.
External links
[edit]- Pillion at IMDb
- Pillion at Rotten Tomatoes
- 2025 films
- 2025 black comedy films
- 2025 British films
- 2025 directorial debut films
- 2025 English-language films
- 2025 Irish films
- 2025 LGBTQ-related films
- 2025 romantic comedy-drama films
- 2020s sex comedy-drama films
- A24 (company) films
- BBC Film films
- BDSM in films
- British black comedy films
- British Film Institute films
- British gay-related films
- British romantic comedy-drama films
- British sex comedy-drama films
- English-language black comedy films
- English-language romantic comedy-drama films
- English-language sex comedy-drama films
- Films based on British novels
- Films set in London
- Films shot in Kent
- Irish black comedy films
- Irish gay-related films
- Irish romantic comedy-drama films
- LGBTQ-related black comedy films
- 2020s LGBTQ-related comedy-drama films
- LGBTQ-related romantic comedy-drama films
- LGBTQ-related sex comedy films
- Motorcycling films
- Warner Bros. films