A leather-clad Alexander Skarsgård takes center stage in Pillion, A24’s daring new queer romance that blends BDSM, biker gangs, and British charm in equal measure. The film, which made its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival to a seven-minute standing ovation, now has its first official trailer, and it’s as provocative as fans of the source material hoped it would be.
Directed by Harry Lighton in his feature debut and based on Adam Mars-Jones’ 2020 novel Box Hill, Pillion is a romantic dramedy that doesn’t shy away from the explicit realities, and humor, of kink culture. Skarsgård stars as Ray, the charismatic and commanding leader of a motorcycle club, while Harry Potter alum Harry Melling plays Colin, a timid young man whose sexual awakening is set into motion by an unexpected relationship.
The film’s title, Pillion, refers to the passenger seat on a motorcycle, a fitting metaphor for the submissive role Colin occupies in Ray’s leather-clad world of control and vulnerability.
From Meet-Cute to Master-Slave
The trailer opens with a classic barroom meet-cute that quickly veers into something far less conventional. Ray sizes up Colin with a piercing stare before inviting him into his subculture, both literally and figuratively. In one of the trailer’s standout scenes, Ray stands completely naked while measuring Colin for a leather harness, cementing both the erotic tension and the playful absurdity that defines their bond.
“Buy yourself a butt plug,” Ray says casually, handing Colin a shopping list. “You’re too tight.”
This mix of bold sexuality and disarming humor runs throughout the trailer, and according to early reviews, the film itself.
Kink, Comedy, and Character
Despite its unapologetically explicit content, including choreographed orgies, full-frontal nudity, and graphic BDSM scenes, Pillion is far more than queer erotica. Critics have praised the film for its emotional depth, sharp writing, and tender portrayal of a dom-sub relationship built on trust and mutual curiosity.
Standing Ovations and Festival Buzz
Pillion received a glowing reception at its Cannes premiere, where Lighton introduced the film with a cheeky but heartfelt message to the audience: “I want this movie to make you laugh, make you think, make you feel, and make you horny.”
The crowd at the Palais clearly responded, offering a standing ovation that lasted seven full minutes.
For Skarsgård, Pillion marks yet another boundary-pushing role in a career known for its fearless exploration of masculinity, sex, and vulnerability. Meanwhile, Melling’s performance is already being hailed as one of his most mature and complex to date.
With Pillion, A24 adds another boldly queer title to its already rich catalog of LGBTQ+ cinema, joining the likes of Moonlight, Euphoria, and The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson. The studio has become known for supporting stories that push boundaries and challenge assumptions about sexuality, gender, and intimacy.
