An unconventional romance fronted by two accomplished actors is finally available to watch
Cinephiles are in for a treat this weekend as the ‘hottest romance in decades’ starring a Harry Potter alum is finally here.
The directorial debut of English filmmaker Harry Lighton, Pillion follows an unlikely romance between introverted singer Colin and ‘impossibly handsome’ biker Ray.
Colin is approached by Ray one night at their local pub and from there unfolds a love story rooted in the pair’s BDSM practices.
The synopsis teases: “A timid man is swept off his feet when an enigmatic, impossibly handsome biker takes him on as his submissive.”
Although it centres on a sensual subject matter, the drama also dives into tender themes like self-discovery and identity, while challenging audiences’ ideas of what ‘normal’ relationships look like.
The film is adapted from author and film critic Adam Mars-Jones’ 2020 novel Box Hill, which similarly dives into gay identity.
Harry Melling (left) plays Colin and Alexander Skarsgard plays Ray (Image: PA)
While director Lighton may be a new name for viewers, his leading stars Harry Melling and Alexander Skarsgård are no strangers to the big screen.
Melling, who stars as Colin, shot to fame in the Harry Potter franchise as Dudley Dursley and has since enjoyed roles in the likes of Netflix’s The Queen’s Gambit and BBC Two’s Wolf Hall – to name a few.
Skarsgård, on the other hand, recently led Apple TV’s sci-fi drama Murderbot. In Pillion, he takes on the role of Melling’s on-screen Dom, Ray.
Following its premiere at Cannes Film Festival this spring, the drama instantly won critics over. It currently boasts a stellar 100% Rotten Tomatoes score, from 45 reviews.
While this rating is likely to drop as more viewers tune in, early reviews suggest that Pillion is a crowd-pleaser.
The Rotten Tomatoes critics’ consensus raves: “A remarkable directorial debut by Harry Lighton, Pillion is an unconventional romance that soars thanks to its non-judgmental perspective and knockout performances.”
Viewers are raving about Pillion (Image: Picturehouse/PA Wire)
Meanwhile, another critic has dubbed it the “hottest master-servant romance we’ve been served in decades.”
Elsewhere, IndieWire reviewed: “Ultimately a deeply moving love story, one where we become the submissives to Lighton’s strange, beautiful, and sexy vision. It also never hurts to be anchored by two actors who are totally game and committed to that vision.”
Casual moviegoers on Letterboxd have also shared positive verdicts. One praised: “Harry Melling is delightful and Alexander Skarsgård delivers a reserved but poignant performance I’ll be thinking about for a long time.”
While a second gushed: “Perfect film, many many many many many tears.”
Pillion is in cinemas now
