A24 has dropped the first trailer for Pillion, the queer romantic comedy that's already stirring conversations just days after its Cannes premiere. Starring Alexander Skarsgård as a rugged biker gang leader and Harry Melling as his unlikely submissive partner, the film dives headfirst into a BDSM-tinged love story set against London's leather-clad subculture. Directed by newcomer Harry Lighton in his feature debut, it's adapted from Adam Mars-Jones's 2020 novel Box Hill, promising a mix of heartfelt drama and explicit edge that feels both fresh and unapologetic.
Indeed, the trailer teases Colin's transformation—from a meek traffic warden living with his ailing mother to Ray's devoted "pillion," handling everything from chores to more intimate demands. Skarsgård, fresh off Succession and The Northman, brings his signature intensity to Ray, the enigmatic dom who sweeps Melling's wide-eyed character into a world of motorcycles and power dynamics. Melling, known for his breakout roles in The Pale Blue Eye and the Harry Potter series, delivers a performance that's raw and vulnerable, highlighting the film's exploration of consent and desire. But it's the chemistry between them that jumps out, raw and electric, even in these brief clips.
However, Pillion didn't just premiere quietly. At the 2025 Cannes Film Festival in the Un Certain Regard section on May 18, it snagged the Best Screenplay award and the Palm Dog for its canine sidekick, while earning nods for the Caméra d'Or and Queer Palm. Critics have praised its balance of humor and horniness, calling it a "fun and filthy romance with heart." The UK theatrical release is slated for November 28 via Picturehouse, and with A24's track record, expect wider buzz soon. Skarsgård himself has spoken about shooting even more graphic scenes than what's in the final cut, adding to the film's provocative allure.
Moreover, the movie arrives at a time when queer stories are pushing boundaries more boldly in mainstream cinema. Yet, as trailers like this one show, it's the human connections amid the kink that might linger longest. One wonders how audiences will receive this unflinching take on love's wilder sides.