Alexander Skarsgård calls his latest a ‘kinky gay biker rom-com.’ It’s also the love story of the season

by

Despite a hectic week, Alexander Skarsgård appears remarkably relaxed. He’s preparing to host “Saturday Night Live” after flying directly from the Sundance Film Festival, where he showcased his films, “The Moment” and “Wicker.” He’s already been busy brainstorming ideas for sketches.

I was so fascinated by what Bill Skarsgård shared with me! He told me he practically rushed from the airport straight to 30 Rock. We were chatting over Zoom, and though I assumed he was in his New York hotel room, his background was intentionally blurred – it really seemed to reflect how constantly he’s on the go. He was wearing a simple white t-shirt and looked incredibly relaxed, honestly like he didn’t have a worry in the world.

Honestly, it felt totally unreal – flying in through that winter storm, landing, and then immediately meeting Lorne Michaels and jumping right into work. It was absolute chaos, but in the best way possible – a truly incredible experience.

He’s calm and thoughtful when talking about two new films: Harry Lighton’s impressive first feature, “Pillion,” which opens Friday, and the quirky mockumentary “The Moment,” starring Charli XCX, now playing in theaters. This graciousness could be simple politeness, or perhaps Bill Skarsgård is simply enjoying his own rising popularity.

Movies

We went in with very high hopes, and we weren’t disappointed! We were blown away by ten films, including fantastic new releases from directors Lynne Ramsay, Jafar Panahi, and Nadav Lapid.

People often feel like they’re constantly climbing a ladder, striving for the next level. It’s easy to get caught up in that pursuit and forget to ask yourself what you actually want. I’m trying to step back from all that and find solid ground.

I’ve been following Alexander Skarsgård’s career since “True Blood” really put him on the map back in 2008, and it’s been fascinating to watch. He’s given some incredible performances in films like “The Northman” and “Infinity Pool,” the kind that should make someone a huge star, but he seems to intentionally avoid that traditional path. Coming from an acting family – his dad, Stellan Skarsgård, is nominated for an Oscar right now, and he’s one of eight siblings, including his brother Bill who played Pennywise – they all seem to just pick projects they’re passionate about. He’s really versatile, able to be genuinely funny – remember his opening monologue on “SNL”? – and then completely turn around and be intense and intimidating, like he was in “Big Little Lies.” But honestly, everything feels like it’s coming together for him right now, and I’m really excited to see what he does next.

“Pillion” is a bold and emotionally resonant film that prioritizes genuine feeling over sensationalism. The story begins with Colin, a shy young man, developing a tender, yet unconventional relationship with Ray, a captivating member of a motorcycle gang. While star Bill Skarsgård jokingly describes it as a “kinky gay biker rom-com,” it’s also a heartwarming story about growing up and finding yourself. What’s particularly impressive is how the film portrays the biker subculture with sensitivity and avoids portraying it as ‘other’ – a smart approach that makes the specific details feel relatable to everyone.

Skarsgård describes receiving the script as finding a hidden gem. He explains that many scripts arrive unsolicited, and this one could have easily been overlooked in his inbox. He wasn’t necessarily looking for something like it, but it stood out.

I have to admit, when I first heard the pitch for this film, I expected something really gritty and intense. Alexander Skarsgård felt the same way! He was drawn in by the initial concept, but what really surprised him – and me, after reading the script – was how surprisingly gentle and funny it turned out to be. Yes, there are wild scenes – think orgies in the woods – but it’s balanced with a real tenderness and a lightness of touch that completely swept him – and honestly, me too – away. It’s not the bleak, hardcore experience I anticipated at all.

He instantly knew he wanted to speak with Lighton, the writer and director, who had pictured Skarsgård playing the part after seeing his appearance on “Succession.”

Lighton believes the actor was eager to take on the role because he’s playful and enjoys having fun. According to Lighton, who spoke via Zoom from London, the actor is driven by personal interest rather than traditional career expectations.

Skarsgård didn’t care that it was a small film. These days, he doesn’t work in pursuit of money.

You know, I’ve reached a point where I can actually turn down projects, even if they offer a lot of money. It wasn’t always like that, so I’m really trying to make the most of this freedom. I want to focus on work that genuinely excites me – collaborating with people I admire and diving into characters that feel worth exploring. It’s about letting creative passion guide my choices, because who knows how long this opportunity will last?

Making the film “Pillion” took longer than expected because funding wasn’t completely secured when the actor signed on. A year passed after the initial conversation with the director before filming began. In the months leading up to production, Skarsgård filmed the first season of the sci-fi series “The Murderbot Diaries” in Toronto. He and his co-star, Melling, intentionally didn’t meet or rehearse beforehand. They first met on set, a week into filming in the summer of 2024. The director started them off with a wrestling scene – a playful struggle where Colin tries to overpower the physically stronger Ray – which happens before their characters first become intimate.

Melling, age 36, described a moment of immediate connection: “We shook hands and were instantly celebrating together.” He explained, speaking from London via Zoom, that this moment marked the true beginning of their collaboration.

Skarsgård recalls a thrilling first meeting with the actor. They hadn’t spoken beforehand, but he says he would have welcomed a conversation if his co-star had initiated it. However, he preferred to wait and see how their dynamic would unfold when they started filming. He wanted to let the on-screen interaction happen naturally.

Melling shared a similar experience. He explained that because the characters didn’t know each other well at the start, it was great for both actors to discover their dynamic together on set. Personally, it was helpful for him because his character constantly questions Ray’s decisions, and he enjoyed not knowing what Alex would do next.

I’ve always been fascinated by how actors prepare for roles, and Bill Skarsgård’s approach for this film was really interesting. Unlike some of the other cast, he didn’t have a ton of time for immersive research beforehand. He told me he spent a lot of time studying Kenneth Anger’s ‘Scorpio Rising’ – a really cool, experimental film from the 60s – to get into the right headspace. Luckily, he already knew how to ride a motorcycle, even though he didn’t own one at the time. But once he got to England and met the actual Gay Bikers Motorcycle Club, he was totally keen to learn everything he could from them.

Honestly, they were just incredibly welcoming and open, really including Harry and me in their lifestyle. It meant so much that they were also in the movie with us. When we were filming the more intense scenes, we could always ask them what was actually happening versus what was for show – even down to the details, like what kind of lubricant they preferred! They didn’t hold back and brought all their own toys and props, which made everything feel so much more authentic.

Ray introduces Colin to BDSM, exploring themes of power dynamics, submission, and intimacy, which ultimately helps Colin gain self-assurance. While the film features explicit sexual scenes, including an orgy in the woods, these moments are intentionally crafted to serve a purpose within the story and aren’t simply for shock value. An intimacy coordinator, Robbie Taylor Hunt, carefully choreographed each encounter to ensure emotional resonance and narrative coherence.

Skarsgård explains that the intimate scenes in the show aren’t simply about shock value. He emphasizes the complex psychological elements at play and was drawn to the project because he often finds sex scenes unnecessary or lacking tension. He points out that the most compelling part of these moments isn’t the act itself, but what leads up to it. According to Skarsgård, the director, Harry, carefully crafted these scenes to advance the plot and reveal crucial aspects of his character, Colin.

Colin and Ray first become intimate on Christmas night in a dark alleyway, with Ray taking the lead. While Colin is inexperienced, the encounter is still passionate. The scene concludes with Colin expressing his pleasure by licking Ray’s boot. The actors worked hard to portray a consensual dynamic, emphasizing Colin’s enthusiastic participation – a key element of BDSM. Lighton, the director, aimed for a sensitive and layered depiction of their relationship.

Lighton was careful to portray the intimate scenes with respect and honesty. He aimed for a balance of humor, emotional depth, and genuine feeling, and the actors understood and shared this goal.

While Skarsgård enjoyed the creative freedom of “Pillion,” he doesn’t have a single, consistent approach to acting. On “The Northman,” director Eggers meticulously planned every shot, leaving no space for spontaneous reactions or improvisation. Skarsgård does like to rehearse, but he prefers to remain flexible until he’s actually filming. “Pillion” was quite different – the only scenes discussed beforehand were the intimate ones, allowing for much more on-the-spot creativity.

Skarsgård really enjoyed the unpredictability of working with Melling. He loved going into scenes not knowing exactly how Melling’s character would respond, even when his own character was in control. This uncertainty gave him a lot of creative freedom, and each day on set brought unexpected twists and turns, often leading scenes in directions he hadn’t imagined.

“Really, anything could happen with these characters,” Melling explains. He recalls a scene where Ray tries to be funny about pizza while having dinner with Colin. Surprisingly, that moment wasn’t originally written into the script. “It was a great idea by Alex to show Ray trying to connect with Colin in that way.”

He raves about working with Alex, calling him an ideal scene partner. Alex consistently brought fresh ideas and nuances to their scenes, giving him plenty of material to react to. He believes the film would have been drastically different with anyone else in the role.

Following the wrap of his five-week shoot – which he called “incredibly exhilarating” – Skarsgård quickly traveled to Budapest to begin filming “Wicker,” a unique love story set in a stylized medieval village alongside Olivia Colman. In early January 2025, Charli XCX and director Aidan Zamiri shared the script for “The Moment” with him. The film centers on Charli as she deals with the intense pressures of being famous. Skarsgård plays Johannes Godwin, a self-absorbed concert director brought in to film Charli’s “Brat” show, and enjoyed the chance to play a comedic role.

Skarsgård described the character as incredibly appealing, and he was also a big fan of Charli XCX. They had some friends in common through connections with Swedish musicians like Robyn and Yung Lean, but hadn’t met before. While many people claim to enjoy her music, Skarsgård could actually prove his fandom – Charli XCX was his second most-played artist on Spotify Wrapped in 2024.

He searched his phone for evidence but couldn’t find it. He confessed, “I didn’t mention the Spotify situation to Charli or Aidan until after we finished filming. I figured it would be awkward, but at the end of the shoot, I told them I was a real fan and showed them proof.”

While Bill Skarsgård isn’t as widely known as Charli, he still understood and connected with the central themes of the film, “The Moment.”

He wonders how someone handles their career after becoming a huge pop culture sensation. How do they keep that success going while still staying true to their own artistic goals? And to what extent do they let others influence their choices?

Entertainment & Arts

Alexander Skarsgård doesn’t worry much about what people think of him, either within the film industry or among his fans. He seems to enjoy playing with fashion on the red carpet, prioritizing fun over carefully crafting an image. When told about the positive online reaction to appearances like the “Pillion” premiere in London and his interview on “Lorraine,” he admits he avoids searching for himself online. He simply focuses on enjoying the moment and following his instincts, acknowledging that not everyone might approve.

Lighton noticed a playful, questioning attitude in their first conversation. The filmmaker describes him as deeply thoughtful and dedicated to his work, not someone who treats it lightly. Lighton enjoyed working with him, noting that he playfully challenges traditional ideas about masculinity and what it means to be a leading actor.

Melling and Lighton are thankful that a well-known actor like Skarsgård agreed to join the project “Pillion.” However, Skarsgård insists he’s the one who should be expressing gratitude.

Skarsgård feels fortunate to have been involved, calling it one of the best experiences of his career. While acknowledging the film was made on a small budget, had a potentially controversial edge, and was directed by a newcomer, he found the project incredibly thrilling. He understands it might not seem like an obvious success to those in the industry, but he was very enthusiastic about it.

With the interview ending, Skarsgård is immediately heading back to practice for some comedy sketches – his father, Stellan, even unexpectedly joined in on one that playfully poked fun at Swedish films. After that, he’ll be at the premiere of his movie, “Pillion.” He has a month free before filming begins on the second season of “Murderbot,” and he plans to spend that time back in Stockholm, where he moved from New York City three years ago. He lives close to his father and siblings in the Södermalm neighborhood.

He explains that being home is a welcome change from the busy life he leads while working. He loves the energy of his work, but returning to Stockholm provides a valuable separation between his professional and personal life, which he truly appreciates. Having that clear distinction is something he enjoys a lot.

Right now, he’s still very much involved. And if this is truly Bill Skarsgård’s time to shine, he’s enjoying the experience and continuing to pursue roles that feel right for him.

Read More

2026-02-04 20:03