Pillion Review: A24’s Biker BDSM Drama Is a Polished, Polarizing Ride

Director: Harry Lighton

Cast: Alexander Skarsgård (Ray), Harry Melling (Colin), Douglas Hodge, Lesley Sharp

My Rating: 6.2/10

The Verdict

Pillion is a film that looks exactly like an A24 production should - moody, atmospheric, and impeccably shot - but while the performances are brave, the film’s refusal to let you fully in makes for a mixed experience, so in my opinion it lands at a 6.2 out of 10, a vital exploration of subculture dynamics that unfortunately stalls in its second act.

The Full Review

The pairing of Harry Melling - the king of nervous energy - and Alexander Skarsgård - the king of intimidating physical presence - seemed like a match made in heaven, and I was really looking forward to watching Pillion.

It's a film deeply committed to its leather-clad aesthetic, yet seemingly terrified of its own emotions.

The Plot: The Biker and the Wallflower

The story, of Pillion follows Colin, played by Melling, a shy parking warden living with his overly supportive parents, and his life changes when he meets Ray, played by Skarsgård, the dominant leader of a nomadic biker club, who takes Colin on as his pillion - the passenger on the back of his bike - and begins initiating him into a life of service, power plays, and absolute submission.

The film spends a lot of time on the details of the subculture, but the narrative itself feels stagnant, and there is no traditional second act, it just repeats the same power dynamic in different scenic locations, so by the 80-minute mark I found myself waiting for a character beat that never quite arrives.

Performances: Melling vs. Skarsgård

Harry Melling is doing some of the best work of his career here, and you notice how he uses his small frame to communicate a desperate need to be seen, even through the lens of submission, and I believe he is the only reason the film carries any emotional weight at all.

Alexander Skarsgård on the other hand, is playing a vibe more than a person, and I found his performance a bit too statuesque, while I noticed he is physically perfect for the role, there is a lack of interiority, and it’s hard to care about a relationship when one half of it feels like a high-fashion mannequin.

Style vs. Substance: The A24 Trap

I have to talk about the cinematography by Nick Morris, because the film is drenched in oil-slick blacks and sunset oranges, where the camera lingers on textures, probably as a way to hide the lack of dialogue, sharing the same mute intensity to Stone Cold Fox.

I also found the sound design - the constant low hum of the motorcycle engine - effective at first, but eventually a bit grating, and it felt like the director was aiming for a trance-like experience, though for me, it just felt sleepy.

Oliver Coates’ Cello Drones

The soundtrack here, composed by Oliver Coates, is heavy on time-stretched cello drones and synth flourishes, and the music was often more emotional than the characters themselves, although I did appreciate the inclusion of a synth rendition of Satie’s Gymnopédie No. 1,  and I found that the soundtrack saved several scenes that otherwise would have felt completely hollow.

Pillion Ending Explained: The Final Ride (SPOILERS)

After a year of being Ray’s submissive, Colin asks for a normal day, a date at the cinema and a meal, where Ray flees after Colin tries to kiss him - an ultimate realization that their love was only possible within the rigid rules of the dynamics once the fantasy is broken.

Pillion Frequently Asked Questions

Is Pillion based on a book?

Yes, it is based on the 2020 novel Box Hill by Adam Mars-Jones, where the film modernizes the setting but keeps the core power struggle.

Where can I stream Pillion?

As of late January 2026, it is available to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video, and it is also expected to join the MUBI lineup soon.

Is it actually raunchy?

Yes, there is a significant amount of nudity and frank depictions of BDSM, and while it isn’t shlocky, it pulls no punches.

Who plays Colin’s parents?

They are played by Douglas Hodge and Lesley Sharp, providing much-needed warmth to the film’s colder moments.

How long is the movie?

It has a runtime of 107 minutes, and I felt the pacing was a bit sluggish, making it feel longer than it actually is.