Pillion Review: Alexander Skarsgård Has Never Been Better Than In Harry Lighton’s Sexy Feature Debut Centering BDSM

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Alexander Skarsgård delivers an exceptional performance (or exudes even more charm) in his latest film, which revolves around the intensely passionate relationship between a dominant biker and a submissive BDSM partner, played by Harry Melling. Colin, who is depicted as an obedient young man, resides with his parents, partly due to his mother’s battle with cancer but also because it appears no one has encouraged him to move out. He is part of an a cappella group and goes on dates arranged by his mother with other men.

Initially, one person wears a shirt with the phrase “Hey Alexa, Free Britney” in glittery letters, suggesting his mother’s fashion sense might be involved. However, Colin’s style is far from poor. Following a quick interaction at a bar, Colin arranges to meet up with Ray, portrayed by Skarsgård, and surprisingly, both sets of parents approve of their Christmas Day gathering. Upon arrival, he discovers that Ray appears to be a more flamboyant version of himself, sporting a snug leather motorcycle outfit and a larger, intimidating dog, while Colin arrives with his mom’s dachshund and dad’s leather jacket.

In the film titled Pillion, although it portrays what appears to be a highly toxic relationship, it doesn’t neglect to incorporate humor. This makes its climax all the more heart-wrenching. For his first feature, Harry Lighton delivers an astonishingly self-assured and intensely seductive debut.

Here’s another way:

Despite the apparent toxicity in the relationship depicted in Pillion, it never fails to inject humor, making its denouement even more poignant. As a first feature, Harry Lighton’s performance is remarkably assured and incredibly captivating.

And one more:

Although the portrayal of their relationship in Pillion seems toxic, it never forgets to bring humor into the mix. This makes the resolution all the more tragic. For his first feature film, Harry Lighton presents a self-assured and seductive debut that’s hard to ignore.

Pillion Underscores The Layered Character Dynamics

Harry Melling Is Excellent As Colin

Without needing much convincing or discussion, Colin rapidly becomes involved romantically with Ray. By the close of their second date, he’s preparing meals for his new partner and sleeping on a mattress at the foot of his bed. The following day, he arrives with grocery bags in hand to find Ray’s biker group split into two groups – those in the kitchen, wearing aprons and minimal clothing, and their dominant partners in the living room. As the roles quickly become clear, Colin embraces this new lifestyle, eager to conform and adjust to his new role.

In this story, Ray, portrayed by Skarsgård, comes off as aloof and frosty. One character casually mentions to Colin that they couldn’t survive without affection from their partner, but Colin reassures both the character and himself that he can manage fine without it. However, Ray’s icy demeanor leaves Colin with few opportunities to express his own feelings. Despite agreeing with most of Ray’s decisions, Melling subtly conveys hints of uncertainty through his acting. This role is a significant departure for the actor who is mainly recognized as Neville Longbottom from Harry Potter, offering him a chance to showcase his versatility and range as an actor.

The story Pillion doesn’t aim to portray a balanced dom/sub dynamic between Ray and Colin; instead, it presents an unhealthy one. Unlike a healthy relationship where both parties’ desires are equally valued, theirs lacks open discussions about consent and mutual satisfaction. Despite Colin finding joy with Ray and his biker friends initially, the dynamic in their relationship becomes increasingly stifling, even more so than the one he left behind when he moved out of his parents’ home.

In this tale, Ray significantly contributes, but the main focus lies with Colin. Their interactions and numerous scenarios serve as comedic gold, making the movie surprisingly humorous as Colin navigates his unique relationship with Ray. Essentially, the film Pillion unfolds as a late bloomer’s journey towards self-discovery, hinting at sadness before concluding on an unexpectedly optimistic note.

Pillion premiered at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival.

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2025-05-20 18:37