Thank God for Alexander Skarsgård’s Little Glasses in Pillion

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Alexander Skarsgård’s character, Ray, in Pillion, is physically striking – tall, blond, muscular, and handsome. But it’s his small glasses that really stand out. He wears them constantly, whether he’s reading or just relaxing at home, and they’re surprisingly endearing. In fact, they’re the most memorable part of his look in the entire film.

One of the things that makes Ray’s glasses so charming in the film Pillion is that they help us see him as Colin (Harry Melling) does. Their relationship begins with a surprising and intensely physical encounter after they meet at a pub on Christmas, and is marked by limited conversation. Colin, who is experienced in romance and sex, willingly submits to Ray’s desires, hoping that by giving up control, he can finally understand Ray and be accepted into his life.

It’s almost shocking to discover, midway through the film, that Ray enjoys reading. Up until that point, he’s presented as a tough guy – owning a large dog, riding a motorcycle, and wrestling. Seeing him with reading glasses, absorbed in a Knausgård novel, feels like the payoff to a long-running joke. In his stark, minimalist home – so different from the comfortable, lived-in space Colin shares with his parents – this quiet intellectual side of Ray feels particularly striking and unexpectedly appealing. It’s his only trait that seems out of place, making it all the more captivating.

The show deliberately keeps Ray’s background and personality a secret, frustrating both Colin and the audience. This is intentional, as Colin needs to realize he’s not as content as he thinks he is. Ray’s glasses hint at a hidden vulnerability he otherwise doesn’t show. We – and Colin’s family – try to figure out who Ray really is, but we only get clues through what we see. Characters often comment on how attractive he is, and how striking his appearance is. The glasses themselves are a curious detail – they make him seem more approachable, yet also create a contradiction. Are they a sign he’s secretly intellectual? Does he have trouble seeing? How long has he been wearing them? The questions remain even after the story ends, but the glasses serve as a small reminder of this captivating, yet elusive, man.

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2026-02-27 21:54