A bold new film starring Alexander Skarsgård as a dominant in a sadomasochistic relationship with a timid gay man has been hailed by some as 'charming' and 'feel-good' – but not everyone agrees. Pillion, the debut feature from British writer-director Harry Lighton, explores a gay BDSM relationship and has thrilled critics since its Cannes premiere. The Guardian described its blend of deadpan British humour and daring elements as '50 shades of BDSM Wallace and Gromit'.
Based on Adam Mars-Jones's 2020 novel Box Hill, the film traces the evolving relationship between Colin (Harry Melling), a timid gay man whose social life revolves around singing with his father in a barbershop quartet, and Ray (Skarsgård), a handsome, leather-clad stranger. Their first date involves Colin licking Ray's boots outside Primark on Christmas Day, setting the template for a relationship where Ray is the imperious 'dom' and Colin the submissive 'sub'.
The Financial Times described Pillion as a 'charming, feel-good film about gay BDSM biker life', and it holds a 100% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The Independent called it 'one of the sweetest, sexiest, and most tender films you'll see all year', while the BBC's Martha Henriques said it is 'sure to become an alternative Christmas classic'. It has won prizes at the British Independent Film Awards and the Gotham Independent Film Awards, and received three Bafta nominations.
However, some viewers have been deeply troubled by aspects of Colin and Ray's relationship. Author and broadcaster Matt Cain told the BBC: 'For me, there was a real mismatch between the content of the film and the way it was marketed as a kind of S&M romcom. It's about a very specific relationship, which doesn't feel romantic to me and basically looks like abuse.' On social media, some viewers echoed this, with one calling the film 'depressing' and questioning whether dom-sub relationships are 'really like that in real life'.
