Pillion-2026
Director Harry Lighton
Starring Harry Melling, Alexander Skarsgård
Scott’s Review #1,549
Reviewed September 6, 2026
Grade: A
Pillion (2026) is a British, cutting-edge LGBTQ+ film that excites and titillates viewers but is really geared toward a specific target audience.
Gay males either experienced with or possessing knowledge of the BDSM (bondage, discipline, sadism, masochism) hardcore lifestyle will mostly appreciate the film.
Representation in this subculture is shamefully long overdue, so it’s a breath of fresh air to see a film like this released in mainstream markets and on streaming services.
Straight audiences with particular intellect and sexual curiosity may find themselves enveloped by the film and maybe even aroused.
In 2025, the film was a massive critical success, earning an impressive ten nominations at the British Independent Film Awards.
Unfortunately, it has not yet achieved those accolades in the United States, but sometimes an international film has a year-long lag before recognition. Fingers crossed.
The film was released in the U.S. in early 2026.
Colin (Harry Melling) is a shy, introverted gay man who lives with his parents in Bromley, London. He works a menial job assigning parking tickets while pursuing his hobby of singing in a barbershop quartet.
One Christmas Eve at the pub, he is handed a note by Ray (Alexander Skarsgård), a handsome American member of a local biker club, and Colin is swept off his feet when Ray takes him on as his submissive.
As they begin an unorthodox relationship, Colin’s cancer-riddled mother (Lesley Sharp) becomes concerned for her son’s well-being, while Colin’s growing romantic feelings for Ray test the boundaries of their lifestyle.
While some scenes are shocking, like a BDSM themed road trip where Colin finds himself in a line-up of four men wearing chaps, leaning side-by-side over a picnic table, positioned to be penetrated by their doms, there’s also an underlying romanticism and connection between the men.
Other scenes where Ray suggests Colin buy a butt plug because he’s ‘too tight’ or makes him sleep on the floor might run the gamut of making the viewer chuckle nervously or smile naughtily; they indeed have their impact.
But usually, they spend quiet nights at home like a ‘normal’ couple: Ray reads a book or plays with his dog while Colin dutifully makes dinner or runs errands for him.
The relationship is not abusive, and both men are content.
The conflict arises when Colin yearns for a deeper and possibly more conventional relationship. But can Ray give Colin what he needs?
The film wisely parallels the two men. While Colin’s life is an open book and his meddling parents, who only want the best for him, know the ins and outs of his everyday life, even his dates with men, Ray is a complete mystery.
Strikingly handsome and way out of Colin’s league in the gay pecking order of physical attractiveness, Ray is a complete mystery; we wonder why he pursues Colin to begin with.
Tall, blonde, and charismatic, where has he come from? Where is his family? Does he have an ex? Where does he work?
The ambiguity works quite well for delving into the characters.
A tender sequence in which Ray gives Colin the day off from service, and the men share a fun-filled romantic afternoon as a traditional couple, is wonderful, but can it be sustained?
The men share a kiss after some light hilltop wrestling, with Colin sitting on top of Ray in the more dominant position, but something in Ray’s eyes is filled with pain and unease.
A remarkable directorial debut by Harry Lighton, he empathetically examines self-discovery, desire, and conflicting emotions with a nonjudgmental perspective.
Pillion (2016) is not patronizing, played for laughs, or defined by stereotypes.
With exceptional acting performances by Harry Melling and Alexander Skarsgård, the characters are freshly brought to life and make a daring subject matter, taboo for most, into ravishing entertainment and a character study.
