Kinky ‘Pillion’ captures the thrill of attachment — even if BDSM is not your thing

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As a movie fan, I’ve noticed something about really great romantic pairings: at least one of the actors needs to be a true ‘looker.’ And I don’t just mean conventionally attractive! I mean someone who can look at the other actor with such genuine warmth and adoration that we, the audience, fall a little bit in love right along with them. Think Clark Gable, or Diane Keaton – they just had that ability. And honestly, the chemistry between Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone is so electric, it can make even a weak story feel amazing. It’s all about those eyes!

Harry Melling, known for playing the unpleasant Dudley Dursley in the “Harry Potter” films, is now gaining recognition for his striking looks and acting range. In the quirky and sensual film “Pillion,” he portrays Colin, a shy, gay man captivated by a towering biker played by Alexander Skarsgård. Colin is intensely attracted to this man, and a scene of him admiring Skarsgård’s boots reveals a desire for submission. He’s only just realizing this side of himself, and hasn’t even learned the biker’s name—Ray.

The film “Pillion” centers on Colin and his strong desire to please others, and director Harry Lighton asks us to sympathize with his pursuit of happiness. This unique romantic comedy explores a dynamic between someone who is submissive and someone who is dominant, delving into the submissive character’s emotional and physical openness. It’s not about long-term commitment like marriage or having a family; the film focuses on the experience itself and the journey of self-discovery.

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Following in the footsteps of his father, Stellan Skarsgård, the actor known for his roles in “True Blood” and “Big Little Lies” is now carefully considering his next projects.

Motorcyclists often refer to the passenger seat as the ‘pillion,’ and that’s the term used in this story, which takes place in suburban England. It’s a much more exciting ride than Colin starts with – in the back of a regular car. He spots Ray, dressed in white gear resembling a Stormtrooper, speeding by, and later unexpectedly runs into him at a pub. Colin’s mother, Peggy, had arranged a blind date for him there, but he quickly forgets about it when Ray secretly passes him a note with details for a meeting.

Peggy isn’t worried about her son’s strong, dominant personality. She even jokes that his interest in motorcycles sounds fun. His father, Pete, simply wants him to be safe and wear a helmet. However, neither parent realizes that Ray can be quite unkind. He subtly controls Colin, figuring out just how much politeness is needed to get Colin to do chores like cooking, caring for his dog, and sleeping on the floor. Ray deliberately withholds praise to keep Colin feeling insecure and eager to please.

As a huge movie buff, I was completely charmed by this dog’s performance! He was actually up for the ‘Palm Dog’ award at Cannes last year – it’s a fun prize they give to the best canine actor at the festival, and honestly, this dog deserved to win. He’s just so natural! You can see him carefully watching his owner, Ray, picking up on everything without a word, and he’s ridiculously enthusiastic when he runs to get Ray a beer. There’s even a funny scene where Ray pays attention to another biker’s little dog, and this dog, Colin, gets visibly sulky until Ray gives him a treat – it’s hilarious and totally believable!

Skarsgård shows off his physique while highlighting a flawed aspect of how people react to beauty: Ray is so attractive that everyone automatically assumes Colin is fortunate to be with him. When a colleague asks the unassuming Colin how he managed to win over someone like Ray, Colin boasts about his dedication, demonstrated through extreme acts like wearing a padlock around his neck and shaving his long hair, giving him the appearance of a fanatic – which, in a sense, he is.

Colin frequently dwells on how low he’s letting himself sink, but he quickly justifies it when he looks at his attractive partner. He’s skilled at separating his emotions from his actions – a habit he developed from his job as a parking enforcement officer, where he faces frustrated people daily. And when he needs to feel something, he easily finds a reason, even if it’s painful to witness.

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We went in with incredibly 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.

I’ve been so excited to see more queer stories moving past just coming out and starting to explore what happens after – whether two people are actually good together. But Lighton’s work really takes it to another level. He doesn’t shy away from asking tough questions, like whether a messy or even ‘wrong’ relationship can still be valuable, especially for someone still figuring things out. It’s bold, and honestly, really refreshing to see.

This adaptation of Colin and Ray’s relationship is more hopeful than the original story. The source material, Adam Mars-Jones’ 2020 novella “Box Hill,” which explored themes of low self-esteem, presented a darker, more psychologically complex portrayal of abuse. In that version, an older Colin reflects on the relationship, revealing how damaging it truly was.

Lighton isn’t oblivious to the power imbalance, but he’s made a movie about going forward, not being stuck. He trusts his naif with more agency, and so “Pillion” is freer to play its insults for laughs. You’ll giggle a lot. That gleam in Melling’s eyes makes it feel like a comic fantasy, although who knows? Perhaps there really are BDSM biker gangs hosting afternoon picnics with serving boys tied spread-eagled on a buffet table. That bucolic scene is filmed in a slow pivot around the park, cinematographer Nick Morris getting a chuckle from how the image shifts from Georges Seurat to “Hellraiser.”

Colin’s parents will likely become uncomfortable with his new boyfriend, causing a few awkward moments. Surprisingly, Lighton seems a bit reserved too, often communicating through expressions rather than words, much like the characters he plays.

Melling is consistently warm and engaging, but Skarsgård’s character remains a mystery. His portrayal of Ray feels distant and guarded, as if he’s always concealing his thoughts, even when he speaks – and when he does, his words are often mumbled and weary. The only glimpse we get into Ray’s past is through the names of his former dogs, which he has tattooed on his chest.

Knowing more about Ray’s personal life – his work, family, relationships, or even just his preferences – could lead us to overthink his motivations and why he enjoys this arrangement. The story centers on Colin’s dedication to pleasing Ray, and we’re following Colin’s journey as he tries to do so.

Skarsgård cleverly hints that Ray is more preoccupied with Colin than he admits. A flash of curiosity crosses his face when Colin unexpectedly responds, though he maintains a stern exterior. It becomes clear that Ray is as trapped by his dominant role as Colin is physically bound by his devoted, almost desperate, affection. Despite appearing weak and helpless, Colin starts to seem like the more courageous one. It takes bravery to define your limits—and then to risk crossing them, even if it means getting hurt, and continuing on. While Lighton’s film might seem like a very specific biker BDSM romance, letting go of expectations reveals a surprisingly relatable and universal love story.

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2026-02-06 01:31