Pillion review: Saucy, confident debut starring Alexander Skarsgard is amusing, provocative and profound

In cinemas; Cert 18

Pillion Trailer

Alexander Skarsgard flaunts some serious leather in Harry Lighton’s saucy, confident debut about an unconventional romance between a sexy biker and his inexperienced lover.

Harry Melling is Colin, a socially awkward traffic warden who wishes he had a life outside of his mum Peggy (Lesley Sharp) and dad Pete (Douglas Hodge).

It’s on Christmas Eve, after a gig with his barbershop quartet in the local pub, that Colin encounters Ray (Skarsgard), an enigmatic biker who invites him for a surprise Christmas Day hook-up. Quite the turnaround, and Colin can hardly believe his luck.

A BDSM love affair ensues. Does Colin enjoy scrubbing Ray’s flat and sleeping on the bedroom floor? So long as there are rewards. A terminally ill Peggy, however, has her concerns.

Adapted from a novel, Box Hill, by Adam Mars-Jones, Pillion asks us to invest in a union that isn’t always sunshine and roses for one of its participants. But there is a tenderness here, and Lighton’s film is amusing and intense; provocative and profound.

Skarsgard (perfectly cast) and Melling (a revelation) are quite the couple. Show them some love this festive season.

Four stars