Kinky First Trailer for ‘Pillion’ w/ Harry Melling & Alexander Skarsgård
by Alex Billington
October 1, 2025
Source: YouTube
“How did you get a man like that?” “Well, I have an aptitude for devotion…” A24 has unveiled the kinky first official trailer for Pillion, the highly acclaimed, saucy new film from filmmaker Harry Lighton as his first feature film. This premiered at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival earlier in the year, and is playing next at the New York Film Festival before hitting theaters next February. Based on the book “Box Hill” written by Adam Mars-Jones. A timid, directionless man is swept off his feet when an enigmatic, impossibly handsome biker takes him on as his submissive. Starring Alexander Skarsgård as the dom and Harry Melling as the sub in what is being described as a “sexy, hilarious, feel good” tale of BDSM and queer sexuality. Also in the indie cast are Lesley Sharp, Douglas Hodge, Anthony Welsh, and Jake Shears. “Comic without ever descending into judgment of its characters, Pillion is a beguiling inquiry into the social and sexual performances of masculinity, featuring fearless work from Melling and Skarsgård.” It’s similar to last year’s Babygirl, though this looks even better than that. Opening in February 2026 right around Valentine’s Day.
Here’s the first official trailer (+ posters) for Harry Lighton’s film Pillion, direct from A24’s YouTube:
From NYFF: “In his unorthodox queer romance, first-time feature director Harry Lighton has fashioned something highly improbable: a film about a sadomasochistic relationship that is both transgressive and disarming. Harry Melling plays the mild Colin, whose gayness is happily accepted by his parents (Lesley Sharp & Douglas Hodge) and who is most extroverted when singing in a barbershop quartet. When this sweet-natured square catches the eye of strapping, leather-clad biker Ray (Alexander Skarsgård) at the local pub, he finds himself entering a submissive role—both domestic & erotic—for the inscrutable beauty who brings him both satisfaction and confusion, pain and pleasure. As their affair continues, Colin must decide what he wants and needs—and who he really is.” Pillion is written and directed by British filmmaker Harry Lighton, making his first feature film after a few other short films including Wren Boys. Adapted from the book “Box Hill” written by Adam Mars-Jones. Produced by Lee Groombridge, Ed Guiney, Andrew Lowe, Emma Norton. This initially premiered at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival earlier this year. A24 debuts Lighton’s Pillion film in select US theaters starting sometime February 2026 early next year. So who’s in?
Find more posts in: Indies, To Watch, Trailer