‘Pillion’ Review: A24’s Sub-Dom Rom-Com Is Surprisingly Sweet

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Colin, a gay man in his thirties, lives with his parents in London and works as a parking officer. He also sings in a barbershop quartet as a side hobby. Despite his mother’s attempts to find him a partner through blind dates, he’s struggling with love. The film Pillion, a debut from director Harry Lighton, opens by presenting Colin as someone who seems quite down on his luck.

I was completely captivated by Colin’s story! His life changed in an instant after a gig at the pub. This incredibly handsome biker, Ray – Alexander Skarsgård, seriously, wow – basically made his interest known. But it wasn’t a typical flirtation. Ray didn’t even need to say anything. He just handed Colin a note, and in that moment, the dynamic of their entire relationship was set: Ray would take the lead, and Colin… well, Colin found himself surprisingly thrilled by the idea of letting go.

Inspired by Adam Mars-Jones’s novel Box Hill, Pillion is a charming and unusual romantic comedy. While it features depictions of gay life and BDSM, the film truly stands out because of the nuanced relationship between Colin and Ray. They share very little conversation – mostly Ray giving commands and Colin following them – but their connection grows in surprising ways, eventually reaching a breaking point. Ultimately, the film is a coming-of-age story about a young man discovering his identity, both sexually and personally.

Harry Melling delivers a compelling performance as Colin, truly grounding the film. While many recognize him as Dudley Dursley from the Harry Potter series, Melling has proven himself to be a remarkably talented actor in recent films like The Ballad of Buster Scruggs and The Tragedy of Macbeth. In Pillion, he portrays Colin with nuance and sensitivity, avoiding the typical over-the-top depiction of a character who could easily be played for laughs. Melling finds the genuine vulnerability in Colin, showing a man sincerely seeking love and willing to fully surrender to a relationship.

Colin quickly changed his appearance, cutting off his long hair and taking up a new, submissive role as Ray’s assistant, symbolized by the heavy chain he now wears as a necklace. He soon realizes that despite their physical connection, Ray isn’t interested in a deep emotional bond. Colin knows almost nothing about Ray – not what he does for work, where he goes when he’s by himself, or even if he has a family. And surprisingly, Colin doesn’t seem to mind the mystery.

Colin’s parents, especially his mother who is fighting a terminal illness, are struggling with his relationship. They see him changing in ways that don’t seem to benefit him, and they can’t understand why he’s with Ray. Colin and Ray claim they are happy and that it’s none of anyone’s concern, but the film explores whether Colin truly feels that way. Throughout the story, the director hints that while these dynamics might be exciting for Colin, they also cause him genuine distress.

Skarsgård, also brilliantly funny in Charli XCX’s new mockumentary The Moment, is even better here as a kind of brooding pixie dreamboat. Stern, but charismatic, his appeal isn’t just his good looks — though those don’t go unnoticed by Colin’s friends. Skarsgård plays Ray as a fundamentally damaged person, almost always masking it, but it’s there in his eyes. Even more impressive is that nothing in the script would necessarily suggest any of that. It’s all in the directing and the performance, which see past the surface of things.

While Pillion deals with BDSM, at its heart it’s a film about the complexities of relationships – what we offer and what we receive. It highlights that because everyone has unique needs and desires, all relationships involve compromise. Colin and Ray begin with a clear agreement, but as their connection evolves and that agreement needs to be revised, conflict emerges. Colin has drastically altered his life, changing his appearance and personality to please Ray, yet he receives no reciprocation.

The main drawback of Pillion might be its predictable nature. While the story doesn’t offer many surprises, that’s not necessarily a flaw. Despite including explicit sexual content, the film isn’t focused on shock value; it’s a gentle and often very funny, but also deeply sad, exploration of connection. Rather than relying on dramatic twists, Pillion logically unfolds its idea, leading to a touching ending where the characters learn what they truly want to offer – and receive – in their relationships.

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Ultimately, Pillion is a compelling film about delving into what it means to be human. It fearlessly explores intimacy, vulnerability, longing, and connection – not just in a romantic sense, but in all aspects of life. The film portrays a relationship centered on sexual exploration as a path to self-understanding, suggesting that true connection – and even submission – requires knowing yourself and embracing your own strength.

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2026-02-06 20:50