Alexander Skarsgård Does a Lot Without Words in This Salty-Sweet BDSM Romance

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In the movie “Pillion,” Colin (Harry Melling), a humble and unassuming character, resides in Bromley, works as a parking enforcer, indulges in barbershop quartet singing for amusement, and goes on polite dates organized by his energetic mother with equally courteous men. Though not entirely innocent, Colin’s inexperience is evident when he attempts to perform oral sex on a biker he encounters at a pub one evening, resulting in noticeable discomfort for both parties. Ray (Alexander Skarsgård), a brooding, powerful, and extremely attractive man, has experienced more pleasure over the course of a weekend than Colin has throughout his life. Despite this, Ray is drawn to Colin’s sincerity and finds himself returning for more. Colin might not have given much thought to dominance and submission previously, but Ray recognizes an inherent ability in him to be devoted, making him perfectly suited for the unconventional relationship they eventually form, despite the embarrassment they must navigate together.

As a movie enthusiast, I recently had the privilege of experiencing Harry Lighton’s captivating directorial debut, “Pillion,” which made its grand entrance at Cannes. This film, following close on the heels of A24’s BDSM-influenced romance releases within a year, offers a unique blend of queer and unconventional themes.

In this tale, Ray, my character, shaves Colin’s head, introduces him to a circle of leather-clad elders and their submissives, and whisked me away for an adventurous weekend filled with camping and anticipation, bending over a picnic table waiting for my dominator’s attention. Through a sequence of succinct commands and subtle cues, I gradually decipher the role expectations: cooking in his minimalist apartment, standing behind him during meals, and sleeping at the foot of the bed on a rug each night.

Despite its explicit nature, “Pillion” is less about sexual exploration than self-discovery – another story of an individual learning to express desires. What Colin struggles with isn’t guilt but shyness. Overwhelmed by gratitude for being chosen by this divine man and eager to embrace the joys of submission, it takes him a considerable amount of time to acknowledge that there are aspects of our dynamic he yearns for but hasn’t received yet.

The strain felt by Pillion leaves him with a wistful spirit, yet paradoxically creates a movie that, despite its explicit scenes of chain collars and unusual behaviors, has a surprisingly tender heart at its core – or so it seems. Alternatively, the film presents power dynamics and emotional connection in a way that resonates more with E.L. James than one might anticipate. “You should be pampered excessively!” his mother, Peggy (Lesley Sharp), exclaims disapprovingly, as she’s deeply invested in seeing her son find lasting love before the cancer she battles takes her life. Although there’s a clear irony here – Colin’s parents are fully supportive of his sexuality but struggle to comprehend his kink interests – Pillion does not entirely dispute this. Ray, for instance, is intentionally humorous in ways that E.L. James could hardly imagine, as evidenced by his dramatic entrance at the bar while Colin orders a drink. Ray displays tattoos of his dogs’ names on his muscular chest, enjoys reading Karl Ove Knausgård, and exudes an aura reminiscent of a Tom of Finland sketch brought to life in suburban London. Ray is not a conversationalist, nor does he share much about his personal life beyond the selective aspects that Colin observes. Alexander Skarsgård delivers a powerful performance with mere facial expressions.

Colin, on the other hand, finds himself unconsciously filling gaps with light chatter, despite knowing it’s unnecessary and might spoil the atmosphere. This quirky habit of his is both amusing and endearing, much like many aspects of his character. Melling, with his round features, exudes beauty, though in a less traditional manner compared to his co-star. Colin views their relationship as a fairy tale, which is emphasized by romantic close-ups when he embraces Ray on his motorcycle, termed Pillion. However, Melling’s character is not oblivious to its allure and vulnerability. This role is often labeled “brave,” but the most courageous parts of Melling’s performance lie in the emotional exposure of Colin. Throughout the film, we fear that he might be hurt – not because of BDSM, but because of his lack of self-worth; he believes he should take whatever comes his way, no matter how little it may be. Such growth is painful, and it doesn’t make the process any easier.

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2025-05-20 00:54