Pillion (2025) Movie Review – Where to Watch Online
In a world increasingly saturated with formulaic love stories and queer tokenism, Pillion (2025) roars onto the scene like a motorcycle through mist. This debut feature by director Harry Lighton, known for his sensitivity and radical edge, is an audacious exploration of a BDSM gay relationship set against the backdrop of emotional trauma, power play, and longing. Featuring strong performances from Harry Melling (The Queen’s Gambit) and Alexander Skarsgård (Big Little Lies), Pillion is equal parts uncomfortable, hilarious, and heartbreakingly human.
Note: As of the time this article is written (June 2025), Pillion is not yet available for streaming. For availability updates, check JustWatch. For official information, visit the A24 Films page.
Plot Summary
Colin (Harry Melling), a painfully timid and socially awkward man, lives a life of routine and invisibility—until Ray (Alexander Skarsgård), a mesmerizing, hyper-masculine biker, sweeps him off his feet. But this isn’t a typical romantic arc. Ray doesn’t ask Colin out; he claims him. Thus begins a relationship centered on BDSM dynamics, particularly submission, servitude, and identity dissolution.
The film thrives in the tension between devotion and dysfunction. Through sequences both domestic and deviant, Colin serves Ray—cleaning his motorcycle, kneeling at his feet, cooking his meals, even polishing his boots with his tongue. What might read as grotesque is rendered with a mixture of eroticism and vulnerability that is oddly moving.
Thematic Depth and Controversy
At its core, Pillion is about power, consent, and the yearning to be seen. Critics have noted how the film blurs the lines between love and control, submission and abuse. These ambiguities are not accidental. Rather than sugar-coating BDSM or romanticizing queer identity, Pillion dismantles the progressive narratives that often sanitize queer cinema for mainstream acceptance.
While some viewers have labeled it as a “queer rom-com,” the term seems too reductive. Pillion is far more interested in discomfort than closure. As one French reviewer put it, the film offers “a spit in the face of respectable, integrative expectations of sexual margins.”
The film’s narrative is structured in vignettes, echoing the fragmented nature of Colin’s psyche. The climax arrives unexpectedly, with no traditional resolution. This intentional anticlimax leaves viewers unsettled, mirroring Colin’s own emotional landscape.
Performances and Direction
Harry Melling’s portrayal of Colin is nothing short of haunting. He captures both the innocence and self-loathing that define his character. Alexander Skarsgård’s Ray is equally mesmerizing—a figure of both fantasy and fear, whose charisma is as oppressive as it is seductive.
Director Harry Lighton deserves praise for walking a thematic tightrope. His script, co-written with Adam Mars-Jones, is sharp, disturbing, and often darkly funny. The cinematography is intimate and tactile, often focusing on textures—leather, skin, metal—to heighten the film’s sensory impact. The score, while occasionally heavy-handed, guides the audience through emotional territory that ranges from arousal to alienation.
Viewer Reactions and Reception
Premiering at Cannes 2025 and winning Best Screenplay in the Un Certain Regard section, Pillion polarized audiences. Some hailed it as one of the best portrayals of queer BDSM on screen, while others were disturbed by its glamourization of submission and potential lack of character development.
User reactions have ranged from “hyper funny and touching” to “glamorized subjugation that’s disturbing.” Many appreciated its dark humor and brilliant casting, though some wished for a more conventional narrative arc.
One viewer likened the experience to 50 Shades of Grey reimagined through a queer, British lens—but with actual emotional stakes and satirical intent.
Streaming Availability and Prediction
As of June 2025, Pillion is not yet available on any major streaming platform. However, given its critical acclaim and partnership with A24, it is expected to debut on Max (formerly HBO Max) or Hulu, which have previously hosted other A24 releases. For updates, keep an eye on JustWatch.
Rental and Purchase Predictions
When Pillion becomes available, expect rental options on:
- Amazon Prime Video
- Apple TV
- Google Play Movies
- YouTube Movies
Purchases will likely be available digitally before physical Blu-ray distribution. A24 is known for exclusive collector’s editions, so fans might anticipate a deluxe release with behind-the-scenes commentary.
Final Thoughts
Pillion is not a film for everyone, and that’s precisely its strength. It’s bold, unrelenting, and uninterested in palatability. Lighton doesn’t ask the audience for approval; he dares us to feel, squirm, and reflect.
By placing a marginalized form of love at the center of a cinematic experience, Pillion challenges mainstream expectations and paves the way for a richer, more honest queer storytelling.
Whether you’re a fan of queer cinema, BDSM narratives, or simply looking for a film that takes risks, Pillion is worth the wait.
Stay informed on the film’s availability through JustWatch, and don’t miss updates on its official page at A24 Films. Subscribe to streaming platforms like Hulu or Max to be the first to catch its debut. For more deep-dive reviews on bold indie cinema, bookmark our blog and sign up for our newsletter.
