Pillion is the feature-directorial debut from Harry Lighton and an adaptation of Adam Mars-Jones’ 2020 novel Box Hill. The film opens in a very British pub in Bromley, where we meet Colin (Harry Melling) singing in a 1950s-style quartet with his dad and brother. As the camera slowly pans around the room, we spot Ray (Alexander Skarsgård), a giant, handsome biker whose presence completely shifts the energy. Their first interaction doesn’t involve a single word, but somehow it already sets the tone for their entire relationship and everything that’s about to unfold.
The most interesting part of this story is how complicated their dynamic is. What
Lighton does here is different from most Dom/Sub films. Pillion isn’t trying to shock or sensationalise BDSM. It’s much more about understanding it, exploring it, and showing how messy and emotional that discovery can be.
We experience the whole film through Colin’s eyes as he tries to discover who he is,
what he wants and how far he’s willing to go. Because he doesn’t have those answers yet, the film puts the audience in this constantly shifting place where one minute the relationship feels abusive and the next it feels unexpectedly gentle. In its simplest description, it’s essentially a coming-of-age story told through the lens of the BDSM community.
Whether someone enjoys this film will depend massively on the individual viewer. More than anything I’ve seen in 2025. It’s without question the most sexually explicit film I’ve watched this year. There are piercings in places that made me squeal as a heterosexual man.
Even people who are totally comfortable with sexual content will still feel a bit on edge during the film. And funnily enough, it’s not the sex itself that creates that discomfort. It’s the power dynamic inside the sex. The film constantly makes you question what feels right or wrong, and you end up as conflicted as Colin himself.
But despite all the intensity, the drama and the graphic moments, Pillion is also
genuinely hilarious. The clash between this hardcore biker BDSM group and the very
normal, recognisable suburban Bromley world around them made me and the entire
audience hoot every time. Visually and stylistically, everything feels carefully put together. The biker community feels authentic. The suburban setting is spot on. The score hits exactly when it needs to. The needle drops are great. And the cinematography is cleverly sharp without ever feeling showy.
Overall, I really enjoyed this film. It’s unlike anything I’ve seen before. The way it
explores sexual discovery and finding your place on the spectrum of desire is brave and surprisingly emotional. It shows how figuring yourself out can be messy, confusing, and completely transformative.
Pillion definitely won’t be for everyone, but it’s a bold and well-crafted first feature from Harry Lighton. I’m genuinely excited to see what he does next.
Pillion was released in UK cinemas on November 28th 2026
Charlie Bayliss (@Charlieshotme_)
Charlie works a full-time job, but on the side he makes films and creates content driven by a genuine love of cinema. Blending filmmaking and photography, he shares his passion for cinema through recommendations, film news, reviews, and his own cinematic work. You can find him on Instagram or TikTok: @CharlieShotMe_
