Writer and Director: Harry Lighton
Alexander Skarsgård in a quirky British romcom, Harry Melling in a biker movie? Sometimes the BFI London Film Festival throws up some unexpected combinations that prove the perfect mix, and Harry Lighton’s charming film Pillion is an enjoyable riff on a genre that continually finds more things to give as a dominant-subservient relationship finds a bit of heart in a biker gang in Bromley. Built around a classic self-effacing character who finds his voice, Pillion shows that perfect happiness doesn’t have to be equal.
Nervy parking attendant Colin feels out of his depth when he meets Ray, a particularly handsome and dominant biker who from their first encounter on Christmas Day by a Primark forces Colin into subservience. Realising he enjoys the power play, Colin’s devotion to Ray only grows causing concern for his parents who try to intervene but, having established the rules of engagement, is love really off the menu?
Lighton’s delightful comedy establishes its scenario really well with a terribly British setting and central character as well as a style of humour that relies on reactions to unconventional behaviour. But the worldliness that Colin acquires through the story and his relationship with the implacable Ray is really adorable and both Melling and Skarsgård excel in this subtle but quite meaningfully developed relationship, and eventually, the way it changes both of them is conveyed through largely silent performance and an unexpected by investible chemistry.
And Lighton finds plenty of amusing scenarios as the wide-eyed Colin experiences a range of new sexual experiences through the dom-sub set-up as well as finding a community of like-minded… ‘enthusiasts’ to share these new things with. Placing these eyepopping and rather graphic moments in the staid British setting layers the comedy but the central purpose of finding and accepting yourself is enjoyably realised.
Melling is the emotional centre of the film, able to convey a great deal without saying much and there is a world of adoration, pain and bafflement as well as growing confidence in his face. Skarsgård gets the mysterious stranger just right, enjoying the control and barely yielding but there is real chemistry between this pair and watching Ray begin to thaw, slowly feeling his heart open is lovely if frightening for the character.
it would be great to have seen more of Lesley Sharp as Colin’s mother rooting for her son but, screening late in the Festival, Pillion is a surprising treat and you’ll definitely want to come along for the ride.
Pillion is screening at the BFI London Film Festival 2025 from 8-19 October.
