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Element Pictures Acclaimed

Pillion

A timid man discovers his submissive identity through an intense relationship with a commanding biker, but must eventually decide what he needs beyond obedience.

2025 106 min R
Romance Comedy Drama LGBTQ+
HBO Max Amazon Video Apple TV Fandango At Home
Trailer Where to Watch

Overview

Colin, a timid parking officer living with his parents in suburban England, is drawn into a consensual dominant-submissive relationship with Ray, an enigmatic and commanding biker. As Colin becomes increasingly devoted to Ray, he must determine whether submission is helping him discover his identity or preventing him from expressing his own needs.

Editorial Review

Overview

Written and directed by Harry Lighton, Pillion is a British-Irish romantic comedy-drama adapted from Adam Mars-Jones's novel Box Hill. Harry Melling and Alexander Skarsgård star in an unconventional relationship story exploring desire, power, consent, grief and self-discovery.

Pros

  • Powerful performances by Harry Melling and Alexander Skarsgård
  • Compassionate and nonjudgmental treatment of BDSM
  • Distinctive combination of romance, comedy and emotional drama
  • Award-winning screenplay by Harry Lighton
  • Strong supporting performances from Lesley Sharp and Douglas Hodge
  • Explores consent, identity and power with nuance
  • Acclaimed feature-directing debut

Cons

  • Graphic sexual content limits the potential audience
  • The unequal relationship may be uncomfortable for some viewers
  • Ray's emotional distance is intentionally frustrating
  • Some members of the biker ensemble receive limited development
  • The adaptation differs substantially from the source novel

AI Review

A timid man discovers his submissive identity through an intense relationship with a commanding biker, but must eventually decide what he needs beyond obedience.

Recommended for adult viewers interested in unconventional queer romances, character-focused relationship dramas and candid explorations of consent, power and sexual identity.

Awards

Cannes Film Festival

Un Certain Regard — Best Screenplay · Won

Palm Dog Awards

Mutt Moment · Won

British Independent Film Awards

Best British Independent Film · Won

British Independent Film Awards

Best Debut Screenwriter · Won

British Independent Film Awards

Best Costume Design · Won

British Independent Film Awards

Best Make-Up and Hair Design · Won

Gotham Independent Film Awards

Best Adapted Screenplay · Won

London Film Critics' Circle

British or Irish Film of the Year · Won

London Film Critics' Circle

Breakthrough British or Irish Filmmaker · Won

Rotten Tomatoes Awards

Best Romance Movie · Won

Timeline

Release Date
Theatrical Date
Digital Date
Physical Date
Premiere
Festival
Status
Source publication

Adam Mars-Jones's novella Box Hill was published in 2020.

Development

Harry Lighton adapted the novella into a contemporary relationship story that retained its exploration of dominance and submission while introducing a warmer and more comedic tone.

Financing

The project was produced by Element Pictures with support from BBC Film and the British Film Institute.

Lead casting

Harry Melling and Alexander Skarsgård were announced as Colin and Ray in May 2024.

Research

The filmmakers consulted gay bikers, leather-community members and BDSM practitioners to develop the setting and relationship dynamics.

Supporting casting

Lesley Sharp and Douglas Hodge were cast as Colin's parents, while Jake Shears joined the biker ensemble.

US acquisition

A24 acquired United States distribution rights in October 2024.

World premiere

Pillion premiered in the Un Certain Regard section of the Cannes Film Festival on May 18, 2025.

Cannes awards

Harry Lighton won the Un Certain Regard screenplay prize, while dogs Hippo and Rosie received the Palm Dog Mutt Moment award.

UK premiere

The film received its British premiere during the BFI London Film Festival on October 18, 2025.

UK theatrical release

Picturehouse Entertainment and Warner Bros. Pictures UK released the film in British cinemas on November 28, 2025.

US theatrical release

A24 opened the film in selected United States theaters on February 6, 2026.

Streaming release

The film joined HBO Max in the United States in June 2026.

Physical media

A24 released a special unrated Blu-ray edition in the United States on July 14, 2026.

Cannes Film Festival

Un Certain Regard — Best Screenplay Won

Palm Dog Awards

Mutt Moment Won

British Independent Film Awards

Best British Independent Film Won

British Independent Film Awards

Best Debut Screenwriter Won

British Independent Film Awards

Best Costume Design Won

British Independent Film Awards

Best Make-Up and Hair Design Won

Gotham Independent Film Awards

Best Adapted Screenplay Won

London Film Critics' Circle

British or Irish Film of the Year Won

London Film Critics' Circle

Breakthrough British or Irish Filmmaker Won

Rotten Tomatoes Awards

Best Romance Movie Won

Production

Source publication

Adam Mars-Jones's novella Box Hill was published in 2020.

Development

Harry Lighton adapted the novella into a contemporary relationship story that retained its exploration of dominance and submission while introducing a warmer and more comedic tone.

Financing

The project was produced by Element Pictures with support from BBC Film and the British Film Institute.

Lead casting

Harry Melling and Alexander Skarsgård were announced as Colin and Ray in May 2024.

Research

The filmmakers consulted gay bikers, leather-community members and BDSM practitioners to develop the setting and relationship dynamics.

Supporting casting

Lesley Sharp and Douglas Hodge were cast as Colin's parents, while Jake Shears joined the biker ensemble.

US acquisition

A24 acquired United States distribution rights in October 2024.

World premiere

Pillion premiered in the Un Certain Regard section of the Cannes Film Festival on May 18, 2025.

Cannes awards

Harry Lighton won the Un Certain Regard screenplay prize, while dogs Hippo and Rosie received the Palm Dog Mutt Moment award.

UK premiere

The film received its British premiere during the BFI London Film Festival on October 18, 2025.

UK theatrical release

Picturehouse Entertainment and Warner Bros. Pictures UK released the film in British cinemas on November 28, 2025.

US theatrical release

A24 opened the film in selected United States theaters on February 6, 2026.

Streaming release

The film joined HBO Max in the United States in June 2026.

Physical media

A24 released a special unrated Blu-ray edition in the United States on July 14, 2026.

Streaming

HBO Max
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Fandango At Home

Cast

Harry Melling Colin
Alexander Skarsgård Ray
Lesley Sharp Peggy
Douglas Hodge Pete
Jake Shears Kevin
Anthony Welsh Darren
Rosie Sheehy Megan
Mat Hill Steve
Nick Figgis Don
Zoe Engerer Don's Wife
Jake Sharp Chigs
Jacob Carter Cousin Roy
Christina Carty Colleague
Zamir Mesiti Usher
Miranda Bell Elderly Local
Monica Purcell Elderly Local Friend
Paul Tallis Biker and Human Pup

Characters

Colin Harry Melling
Ray Alexander Skarsgård
Peggy Lesley Sharp
Pete Douglas Hodge
Kevin Jake Shears
Darren Anthony Welsh
Megan Rosie Sheehy
Steve Mat Hill
Don Nick Figgis
Don's Wife Zoe Engerer
Chigs Jake Sharp
Cousin Roy Jacob Carter
Colleague Christina Carty
Usher Zamir Mesiti
Elderly Local Miranda Bell
Elderly Local Friend Monica Purcell
Biker and Human Pup Paul Tallis

Crew

Harry Lighton Director
Harry Lighton Screenwriter
Adam Mars-Jones Author of Source Material
Emma Norton Producer
Lee Groombridge Producer
Ed Guiney Producer
Andrew Lowe Producer
Alexander Skarsgård Executive Producer
Nick Morris Cinematographer
Gareth C. Scales Editor
Oliver Coates Composer
Grace Snell Costume Designer
Diandra Ferreira Make-Up and Hair Designer
Kahleen Crawford Casting Director

Videos

Official Trailer

Soundtrack

  1. Pillion Original Motion Picture Soundtrack — Oliver Coates

Trivia

  • Pillion is Harry Lighton's feature-film directing debut.
  • The screenplay is loosely adapted from Adam Mars-Jones's 2020 novel Box Hill.
  • Alexander Skarsgård also served as an executive producer.
  • Scissor Sisters vocalist Jake Shears made his feature-film acting debut as biker Kevin.
  • Harry Melling spent time riding as a motorcycle passenger and researching submissive behavior before filming.
  • The filmmakers consulted members of the Gay Bikers Motorcycle Club and the BDSM community.
  • Some real members of the gay biker and leather communities appear in the film.
  • The title refers to the passenger seat behind a motorcycle rider and reflects Colin's initially passive role in the relationship.
  • The film received the Best Screenplay prize in the Un Certain Regard section at Cannes.
  • Dogs Hippo and Rosie received the Palm Dog award for Mutt Moment at Cannes.
  • The film received approximately seven minutes of applause following its Cannes premiere.
  • The adaptation is warmer and more comedic than the darker source novel.
  • A24's special Blu-ray edition includes Harry Lighton's short film Wren Boys.

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A timid man discovers his submissive identity through an intense relationship with a commanding biker, but must eventually decide what he needs beyond obedience. Similar picks: Highly Rated Romance, Highly Rated Comedy

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