PalCinema Review: Pillion
Yes, that "dom/com" starring Harry Melling and Alexander Skarsgard is finally arriving at theaters
February 18, 2026
FILM: PILLION
DIRECTED BY: HARRY LIGHTON
WRITTEN BY: HARRY LIGHTON, ADAM MARS-JONES
STARRING: HARRY MELLING, ALEXANDER SKARSGARD, DOUGLAS HODGE
RATING: 3 ½ out of 4 stars
By Dan Pal
With all the attention that’s been put on the HBO Max series Heated Rivalry, the time might be just right for Pillion. Or is it? Afterall, this one stars Alexander Skarsgard in all his blonde, handsome glory as Ray, who develops a relationship with a young, submissive man played by Harry Melling. There’s sex in it for sure. However, the film takes viewers in a provocative direction that has not been depicted in quite this way before on screen while still being tender at heart.
Melling plays Colin Smith, a parking enforcer and member of a barbershop quartet. He’s got an early Chalamet-styled haircut and bad teeth. When he meets Ray it’s clear they are in different leagues. Ray rides his motorbike fast through city streets. While his looks are stunning, he’s a man of few words but quickly sets up a date with Colin. This isn’t a typical boy meets boy story; it’s about sexual dominance and submission. Colin is put in the latter role. Whether he has a history in such a position before is unknown but because Ray is so attractive he goes along with it.
Their story together starts with Ray giving Colin orders, such as to cook dinner. He’s forced to sleep on the floor and wrestle with the clearly more physically powerful Ray. Watching this might be difficult for some as it becomes clear how demoralizing it might be for Colin. Yet, again, he can’t resist. He also develops a sense of confidence he didn’t previously have just by “getting” a guy like Ray. There’s no question that Colin’s needs get pushed aside. Is this what he truly wants and desires though?
It can be frustrating to see a character like Ray reveal so little about himself. For a while, this seems like a script problem. We don’t ever really get any insights into what has driven him to need this kind of domination. Yet, we are also only seeing this through Colin’s eyes. It is his story we are following. We only know what he knows. Plus, it isn’t as if Ray is unable to show a tender side, but can he remain with it for an extended period?
While the sex scenes can be graphic at times, what director Harry Lighton is depicting is real for this community of guys. (We do meet some of Ray’s other biker friends who are in similar master/slave relationships.) He’s not trying to judge it or exploit it. This is how some people live and express themselves sexually. He also doesn’t shy away from showing some of the emotional struggles that result, especially surrounding personal growth. Colin discovers that he might need something more in his relationship. Power dynamics shift. Ultimately though, there’s a satisfying and well-developed arc to Colin who is at an early stage in his adult and sexual life.
Harry Melling is also great as Colin. He demonstrates strong commitment to the character’s needs and insecurities. Some of the best scenes are between him and the actors, Douglas Hodge and Lesley Sharp, who play his parents. Sharp is particularly good as Peggy, a strong-willed but dying victim of cancer. The character is inquisitive and only wants the best for Colin. The same is true for Hodge as Pete but they illustrate yet another couple where the power dynamics are clearly off balance. Pete is the submissive member of the couple and ineffectual in guiding Colin. Skarsgard is also able to show layers within his performance as Ray even if we only get a fraction of who he is as a character.
There’s no doubt that this film will not be for everyone. It might be hard to watch people in such a submissive role as Colin. The sex scenes are rather graphic for those not use to seeing a dominant/submissive relationships before. Yet, this is an original story that is sensitively handled and one that is ultimately a unique portrait of a relationship that might not be based on what some may think are traditional notions of love. It’s an open door to a whole other community.
Pillion is currently playing in limited theatrical release but opens wider on February 20th.
What do you think? Will you check this one out? Are you a fan of the actors?
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