Pillion (2026)

NR Running Time: 106 mins

SHOULD I SEE IT?

YES

  • Henry Melling and Alexander Skarsgård deliver strong, character-driven performances.

  • A bold exploration of desire and identity, Pillion demands an open mind and lack of judgment

  • The film offers a mix of ambiguity and interpretation, trusting audiences to reflect and interpret the film in a deeply, personal way.

NO

  • That ambiguity and interpretation may frustrate viewers who prefer things more specifically spelled out for them.

  • Can sometimes play a little bit slow and some viewers may want the movie to move at a more frequent pace.

  • As this expands into more and more theaters, be aware that this is not your typical multiplex romance.


OUR REVIEW

Harry Lighton’s award-winning A24 film, Pillion, starring Harry Melling as Colin and Alexander Skarsgård as Ray, is visually and aesthetically pleasing and written with the characters’ stories at the forefront. Colin (Melling) has begun exploring himself as he meets Ray (Skarsgård), a dominant motorcycle club leader. As their relationship develops, the two learn who they are as individuals and how they function within their dominant-submissive relationship. The choices, or indecisions, made by the characters reflect the internal conflicts within themselves. Pillion shows the human and raw emotional aspects of all relationships that define the struggles of compromising for the benefit of yourself and the dynamic with others.

With the initial announcement of the film, Pillion grabbed attention immediately as LGBTQ+ media doesn’t have much space within the mainstream corners of the film industry. Melling and Skarsgård take on such unique roles, telling a story that fits within both the LGBTQ+ and BDSM communities. The film shares experiences and emotions that aren’t necessarily seen by wider, more mainstream audiences.

Lighton’s screenplay, adapted from the book Box Hill by Adam Mars-Jones, has humor that is subtle and well placed, creating awkward spaces for the characters to really show themselves. The cinematic expression of each character perfectly defines the characters as people. Seeing changes within family dynamics, as the characters grow and find their place together and within their own worlds, is compelling and insightful. Desires are the foundation of everybody; it is what is done with those desires that determine what comes next. Pillion depicts that perfectly.

This dynamic between Colin and Ray will likely challenge a more modern, traditional view. Using gay men and BDSM in such a major, high-profile film invites and encourages interpretation and reflection. Lighton’s approach gives space for the viewer to really reflect on what the movie is saying and showing us.

People may bring their own experiences and perceptions to the film, and those can easily vary. Pillion isn’t a “blueprint,” but it gives light to the many possibilities that can exist within consensual relationships and how love, sex, romance, communication, experiences, and personal lives all play a factor emotionally. There is no one way to watch or understand Pillion, as it represents what isn’t shown or talked about; namely, the difficult things, the unknowns.

A film confident in itself and trusting of its viewers, Pillion does ultimately leave us wanting more with its story and these characters. At the same time, it also forces us to look within and ask why, allowing us to see aspects of ourselves as we look for our own answers.

CAST & CREW

Starring: Alexander Skarsgård, Henry Melling, Douglas Hodge, Lesley Sharp, Jake Shears, Anthony Welsh

Director: Harry Lighton
Written by: Harry Lighton
Adapted from the novel “Box Hill” by Adam Mars-Jones
Release Date: February 6, 2026
A24