Pillion is an intense, unsettling exploration of intimacy, control, and vulnerability. Written by Harry Lighton and Adam Mars-Jones and directed by Lighton, the film follows the relationship between a young man named Colin (Harry Melling) and his older, strikingly handsome partner, Ray (Alexander Skarsgård). What begins as an intoxicating, tender romance gradually develops into a relationship of manipulation, dependency, and emotional submission.

The tension between the two men builds slowly, with scenes of warmth and attraction giving way to moments of coercion and quiet cruelty. Colin is gradually stripped of autonomy, forced to sleep on the floor, carry out domestic chores, and surrender his emotional and physical freedom to Ray’s whims. His confidence and sense of self begin to erode as Ray tightens his grip on Colin’s life. Melling delivers a remarkable, deeply vulnerable performance, balancing fear with yearning for love and affection. Skarsgård, meanwhile, brings an unnerving calm to Ray with his control masked by charm and his affection with a dangerous menace underneath.

The story’s emotional depth is enriched by the presence of Colin’s parents, Peggy (Lesley Sharp) who is suffering from cancer and her husband Pete (Douglas Hodge). Their humour and warmth provide moments of relief from the film’s intensity, yet their growing unease mirrors the audience’s own. One of the most affecting scenes occurs during a family dinner, when Peggy challenges Ray about his treatment of her son. The confrontation lays bare the emotional abuse simmering beneath the surface.

Pillion is not an easy watch. Its explicit sexual content and its depiction of emotional and physical abuse may unsettle some viewers. Yet, for those who stay with it, the film’s most difficult moments deepen its exploration of power and desire. Beneath its unsettling surface is a deeply humane story about the ways love, power, and vulnerability can so easily intertwine.

Out in Irish Cinemas Nationwide on November 28th

    • Directed by: Harry Lighton
    • Written by: Harry Lighton and Adam Mars-Jone
    • Starring: Harry Melling and Alexander Skarsgård
    • Released: IE & UK Nov. 28th, 2025 | US Oct. 31st, 2025
    • Running Time: 1hr 47min

Review by Claire Millane, a Dublin based actor and comedian. Follow on YouTube at COMEDYBreakz

Pillion Trailer