Pillion (film)
| Pillion | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Harry Lighton |
| Screenplay by | Harry Lighton |
| Based on | Box Hill by Adam Mars-Jones |
| Produced by |
|
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Nick Morris |
| Edited by | Gareth C. Scales |
Production companies | |
| Distributed by | Picturehouse |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 107 minutes[1] |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Pillion is a 2025 British drama film, written and directed by Harry Lighton in his directorial debut, based on the 2020 novel Box Hill by Adam Mars-Jones. It stars Harry Melling and Alexander Skarsgård as a young gay man and a biker gang leader, respectively, who enter into a BDSM relationship.
The film had its world premiere at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival in the Un Certain Regard section on 18 May 2025, where it won the Best Screenplay and the Palm Dog awards, and was nominated for the Caméra d'Or and the Queer Palm. It will be released theatrically in the UK by Picturehouse on 28 November 2025.
Plot
[edit]Colin is a young gay man, living with his parents (including his mother, who has terminal cancer), who meets Ray, the older and very handsome leader of a biker gang. After some initial hesitation, Ray initiates Colin into a BDSM relationship, in which Colin cooks, cleans, and shops for Ray, sleeps on the floor, and obeys his every command. He also joins Ray's biker gang, and goes on trips with them.
After a few months, Colin's parents begin asking to meet Ray, and are worried by how little Colin knows about Ray. At Colin's birthday, Ray refuses to give Colin a present or celebrate — until the next day, when the bikers throw a suprise party and roadtrip for Colin.
Ray eventually relents and agrees to meet Colin's parents, resulting in a confrontation with Colin's mother. She accuses Ray of being too mean to Colin, and too mysterious. Ray tells her that her worldview is "backwards" and storms out.
A few weeks later, after Colin's mother dies, he has a breakdown while cooking for Ray, and burns his hand. Ray helps him, and then invites him into his bed. The two share a bed for the first time. The next day, Colin asks Ray if they can sleep together more often, and Ray refuses. Colin asks Ray for a day off from his submissive status, and Ray refuses. Colin runs out of the house, stealing Ray's bike and riding into the night. When he returns in the morning, Ray relents and agrees to spend a day as a normal couple. The two go to the cinema and a restaurant, and run in the park. During this excursion we see a different, softer side of Ray — he's very funny, outgoing, and kind. In the park, the two kiss for the first time.
After the day off, Ray disappears entirely, despite Colin's attempts to locate him. He returns to his normal life with his father. In an epilogue, we see him signing up for a dating app, and entering into a new BDSM relationship — but this time, he sets rules for himself beforehand.
Cast
[edit]- Harry Melling as Colin
- Alexander Skarsgård as Ray
- Douglas Hodge as Pete[1]
- Lesley Sharp as Peggy
- Jake Shears as Kevin
- Paul Tallis as The Human Puppy
- Anthony Welsh as Darren[2]
Production
[edit]Development
[edit]The film is based on the 2020 novel Box Hill by Adam Mars-Jones.[3] In May 2024, Harry Melling and Alexander Skarsgård joined the cast of the film, with Harry Lighton making his directorial debut from a screenplay he wrote, and with Skarsgård also serving as executive producer.[3] Element Pictures, BBC Film and the British Film Institute produced and financed the film, with Picturehouse Entertainment set to distribute in the United Kingdom.[3]
Filming
[edit]Principal photography took place in South East England, starting on 29 July and wrapping in early September 2024. Shooting locations included the Lullingstone Castle and the Sevenoaks in Kent.[4][5][6]
Different cuts
[edit]Lighton said that several scenes from the film were cut from the version that was shown during its world premiere at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, and that there could be some more cuts to ensure the film gets released in the United States. Skarsgård added: "There's definitely a raunchier version of this movie... what you've seen is the family friendly version... there's also the Alexander Skarsgard cut." Speaking to Variety following the film's premiere, Lighton explained:
It was purely because I didn't want to push the audience into feeling they were being deliberately shocked by an image. So for example, there was one close up of a dick, a hard dick... like down the barrel of the lens. And after watching the film on that ‘fuck-off’ screen I thought, yeah, cutting it was probably the right decision![7]
Release
[edit]In October 2024, A24 acquired US distribution rights to the film.[8] It had its world premiere at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival at the Un Certain Regard section on 18 May 2025,[9][10] where it earned a 7-minute standing ovation at the end of its screening.[11]
It will be released theatrically in the UK by Picturehouse on 28 November 2025.[12]
Reception
[edit]On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 100% of 17 critics' reviews are positive. Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 85 out of 100, based on 11 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".
Accolades
[edit]| Award / Festival | Date of ceremony | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cannes Film Festival | 23 May 2025 | Un Certain Regard Award | Harry Lighton | Nominated | [13] |
| Un Certain Regard Best Screenplay | Won | [14] | |||
| Caméra d'Or | Nominated | [13] | |||
| Queer Palm | Nominated | [15] | |||
| Palm Dog – Mutt Moment | Hippo | Won | [16] |
References
[edit]- ^ a b Garner, Glenn (18 May 2025). "'Pillion' Review: Alexander Skarsgård Is Dom For The Holidays & Harry Melling Is Hopelessly Devoted In Steamy BDSM Romance — Cannes Film Festival". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ^ "Anthony Welsh". B-Side Management & Production. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ^ a b c Ritman, Alex (8 May 2024). "Harry Melling to Play Alexander Skarsgard's Submissive in Kinky Queer Romance 'Pillion' From Element Pictures, Cornerstone Launching in Cannes". Variety. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
- ^ Daniels, Nia (30 July 2024). "Filming begins on Pillion with Alexander Skarsgård and Harry Melling". The Knowledge.
- ^ Roden, Chloe (23 September 2024). "What's been filming in England? July – September 2024". Filming in England.
- ^ Harry, Lighton (6 September 2024). "That's a wrap on Pillion!". Instagram. Archived from the original on 5 August 2025. Retrieved 5 August 2025.
- ^ Ritman, Alex (20 May 2025). "Alexander Skarsgard Jokes There's a 'Raunchier' Cut of Kinky BDSM Romance 'Pillion' That Wasn't Shown in Cannes: 'What You've Seen Is the Family-Friendly Version'". Variety.
- ^ Ritman, Alex (9 October 2024). "A24 Acquires 'Pillion,' Alexander Skarsgard and Harry Melling's Kinky Queer Romance". Variety. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
- ^ Ntim, Zac (10 April 2025). "Cannes Competition: Aster, Trier, Dardennes, Reichardt, Ducournau & Wes Anderson Among Lineup — Full List". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
- ^ "The Screenings Guide of the 78th Festival de Cannes" (PDF). Festival de Cannes. 8 May 2025. p. 7. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
- ^ Gardner, Chris (18 May 2025). "Alexander Skarsgard Kisses Pedro Pascal on Cheek During Ravenous Standing Ovation for 'Pillion'". The Hollywood Reporter.
- ^ "Pillion | Showtimes and Tickets". Picturehouses. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
- ^ a b "The films of the Official Selection 2025". Festival de Cannes. 10 April 2025. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
- ^ Ntim, Zac (23 May 2025). "Chilean Drama 'The Mysterious Gaze Of The Flamingo' Wins Top Un Certain Regard Prize — Cannes". Deadline. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
- ^ Queer Palm (9 May 2025). "SELECTION QUEER PALM 2025 2/5". Instagram.
- ^ Ross, Rollo; Murray, Miranda; Murray, Miranda (23 May 2025). "Icelandic sheepdog named Panda claims Palm Dog's top prize at Cannes". Reuters. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
