Our Review

                                 Movie: PILLION

           Rating: R, Nudity, language, sex scenes

                                    Length: 1:47

                  Release Date: February 6, 2026

Jeanne: Based on the 96-page novella, Box Hill, by Adam Mars-Jones, writer/director Harry Lighton’s debut feature film, PILLION, takes on the values people have inherited and turned them on their ear. Relationship models are tested and questioned --- not always in a positive manner.

It’s Christmas Eve and Colin (Harry Melling) is performing in a Barbershop quartet in a London suburban pub with his father, Pete (Douglas Hodge). His mother, Peggy (Lesley Sharp), has set him up with a blind date. Colin’s parents are very accepting that he is gay --- and Peggy is very much trying to jumpstart his love life.

But Colin has his sights set on a tall, unbelievably handsome biker named Ray (Alexander Skarsgård), who is perhaps interested in Colin as his submissive. After a clunky beginning in a dark alley on Christmas Day, Ray invites Colin to his apartment --- and thus begins their relationship --- of sorts.

Though Peggy wanted Colin to meet someone and be happy, she’s not exactly thrilled with Ray and his treatment of Colin. But Colin is happy --- or at least he thinks he is. Ray is the leader of a gay biker gang and the others have embraced Colin with open arms. He sleeps on the floor at the foot of Ray’s bed and follows all of Ray’s commands, especially including the sexual ones.

Ray is extremely private. Colin doesn’t even know what he does for a living --- if anything. There is no intimacy --- no kissing, hugging --- no signs of affection. One of the other submissives tells Colin that he wouldn’t be with his dom without kissing. So it isn’t long before Colin becomes dissatisfied and pressures Ray for more. And as Colin learns the hard way --- be careful what you wish for.

PILLION is a uniquely serious film that also contains a lot of humor. Colin is a very shy person, with a menial job as a traffic warden. His co-workers are nice, but even they can’t believe he’s in a relationship with Ray after Colin shows a photo of him in his stylish biker gear. But through his connection with Ray, Colin learns to value himself, which was Lighton’s hope for his characters.

The word “pillion” refers to the passenger seat on a motorcycle. Amongst bikers it’s the name for the person sitting on that seat --- and for gay bikers, that seat connotes a vibe of submissiveness. There’s quite a bit of nudity and sex in PILLION, but then again --- it’s Skarsgård --- and he’s hot.

He and Melling have genuine chemistry despite their polar opposite looks. Lighton’s script allows them to develop this strange connection over time. Despite his adamant reluctance, a few little cracks in Ray’s persona appear and Skarsgård is so adept at handling these small changes. He found the screenplay exciting and different --- exposing (literally and figuratively) --- characters not seen on the screen before.

But the driving force behind PILLION is definitely Melling. His performance is quietly engaging and informed. Colin certainly isn’t as enigmatic as Ray. He’s open and honest --- and loving --- all qualities Melling seems very comfortable projecting. He’s really darling --- and perfectly suited for this role.

In case it isn’t obvious, PILLION isn’t suitable for everyone. Although I must admit I would kill to see the reactions from all the old white women sitting in theaters to watch MELANIA and a few sex scenes from PILLION were edited in. It could only be an improvement ---

Opinion: See It Now!

David: PILLION is a rather unconventional film about two gay lovers played remarkably by Alexander Skarsgård and Harry Melling. Actually, lovers is not exactly the precise way to describe this story, based on the 2020 novel Box Hill by Adam Mars-Jones. This film version is written and directed by Harry Lighton in his feature debut.

Ray (Skarsgård) and Colin (Melling) are about as opposite personalities as one can imagine. Ray is a tall, handsome biker and Colin is a timid, slightly-built introvert. Their relationship is described in BDSM terms, which loosely means “bondage, dominance, submission and masochism”. Ray is completely dominant in every aspect of his relationship with Colin, not just sex. Colin is not allowed to sleep in the same bed as Ray --- he sleeps on the floor like a dog --- and he is expected to prepare every meal.

Ray is only responsible for one thing --- fastidiously cleaning his beloved motorcycle --- which brings us to the title of this film. “Pillion” refers to the passenger seat of a motorcycle --- again a simplified definition --- where Colin rides behind Ray clutching him submissively around the waist.

The story takes a wide turn as Colin begins to assert himself with Ray. It’s truly a fascinating look at the human dynamic in any love relationship. It would seem to make a case for the reasoning that humans can take only so much domination and submissiveness.

PILLION is extremely well acted by its two leads with humor provided by Colin’s parents, played by Douglas Hodge and Lesley Sharp. It turns out that Colin has an exceptional singing voice as exhibited when he performs at a local pub with his Barbershop quartet during Christmas. This is where he catches the eye of Ray. It also turns out that Ray can’t hold a note, the only aspect where Colin is superior to Ray.

I should also add that Skarsgård will not shrink from a  controversial role. His turn in THE DIARY OF A TEENAGE GIRL (2015) is proof enough.

Opinion: See It Now!