In a trailer that's already stirring conversations, Alexander Skarsgård takes on a commanding presence as Ray, the enigmatic leader of a gay biker gang, in the upcoming film Pillion. Directed by first-time filmmaker Harry Lighton, the movie adapts Adam Mars-Jones's 2020 novel Box Hill, plunging into a world of leather, motorcycles, and unconventional romance. Skarsgård's character draws the shy, directionless Colin—played with quiet intensity by Harry Melling—into a dominant-submissive relationship that blends tenderness with raw edge.
The film premiered at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival in the Un Certain Regard section on May 18, where it quickly garnered acclaim. It snagged the Best Screenplay award and the Palm Dog, while earning nominations for the Caméra d'Or and Queer Palm. Critics have praised its balance of humor and explicit exploration, calling it a "fun and filthy romance with heart." Indeed, Lighton's direction navigates the tricky terrain of consent and kink without shying away from the discomfort, making Pillion one of the festival's boldest entries.
Melling, known for his transformative turns in The Pale Blue Eye and the Harry Potter series, sheds his earlier boyish image here. He embodies Colin's hesitant plunge into this subculture, cooking and cleaning for Ray while grappling with his terminally ill mother's shadow at home. Skarsgård, meanwhile, brings his signature brooding charisma, though he recently revealed in interviews that the production shot even more graphic sex scenes than what's in the final cut—a decision that underscores the film's unapologetic gaze on intimacy. The trailer's release on October 1 by A24 teases these dynamics with cheeky visuals set to Peggy March's "I Will Follow Him," hinting at the unlikely bond without spoiling the emotional core.
However, not everything is seamless; some early reviews note the story's reliance on familiar tropes in queer cinema, even as it pushes boundaries. Picturehouse will roll it out in UK theaters on November 28, with wider distribution to follow. Moreover, Skarsgård's dive into this role—drawing from real inspirations like the Gay Bikers Motorcycle Club—adds layers of authenticity that could elevate it beyond mere provocation.
As Pillion gears up for its release, it leaves viewers pondering the fine line between desire and dependency in modern love stories.