'Pillion' Review: Alexander Skarsgard and Harry Melling Deliver a Bold, Tender Exploration of Queer Sub/Dom Romance
Pillion, writer-director Harry Lighton’s daring debut, premiered in Cannes’ Un Certain Regard sidebar, boldly delving into the intricate dynamics of a queer sub/dom relationship. Featuring fearless performances from Alexander Skarsgard and Harry Melling, this graphic yet surprisingly tender film offers more than provocative kink—it presents a nuanced study of love, desire, and emotional discovery within the boundaries of power exchange.
Harry Melling (left) and Alexander Skarsgard in 'Pillion.'
Courtesy of Cannes
Set in suburban London, Pillion tells the story of Colin (Harry Melling), a shy traffic warden from Bromley, who embarks on an unexpected journey of submission with Ray (Alexander Skarsgard), a leather-clad dominant and member of a gay biker club. The film, adapted loosely from Adam Mars-Jones’ 2020 novel Box Hill, transforms the setting to the present day and tones down some of the novel’s more extreme elements, focusing instead on the evolving emotional landscape between its protagonists.
The term “pillion,” British slang for the passenger seat behind a motorbike rider—and queer vernacular for a submissive partner—symbolizes Colin’s place in Ray’s rigid sub/dom world. Yet Pillion never reduces its characters to stereotypes. Skarsgard’s Ray, a steely-eyed but quietly vulnerable biker, contrasts sharply with Melling’s nervous, eager-to-please Colin. Their chemistry exposes the subtle balance of power, affection, and self-assertion underpinning their relationship.
Lighton’s film is more than a depiction of graphic gay kink—it is a quietly radical narrative about identity, control, and mutual care. Colin’s polite acceptance of Ray’s demanding lifestyle, even to the point of being told to “buy yourself a butt plug,” illustrates the complexities of consent and desire in the sub/dom dynamic. Yet as Colin’s confidence grows, he challenges Ray’s uncompromising rules, seeking moments of tenderness and normalcy beyond the power-play.
Supporting performances by Douglas Hodge and Lesley Sharp as Colin’s warm, accepting parents add layers of heartfelt realism. Meanwhile, the inclusion of real-life gay bikers and Scissor Sisters’ Jake Shears enriches the film’s authenticity.
With minimalistic direction and intimate cinematography, Pillion spotlights its actors’ compelling portrayals, particularly Melling’s breakthrough performance. His portrayal of Colin’s transformation from anxious innocence to empowered self-awareness is a standout. Skarsgard’s portrayal of Ray reveals a man shaped by past traumas and bound by self-imposed emotional exile.
Pillion is a cheeky yet profound queer love story that confronts taboo with honesty and grace. It invites audiences into a world where vulnerability and toughness coexist and where even the most challenging relationships can foster growth, self-knowledge, and unexpected tenderness.
