Tom’s Guide Verdict: ‘Pillion’
- Rating: 4.5/5 stars
- Verdict: “Pillion” is an incredible love story. Sure, it’s also a movie about leather daddy bikers having a ton of BDSM sex, but honestly, that’s almost window dressing. That’s not to diminish the impact of bringing this lifestyle to the big screen, but at its core, this movie masterfully centers around universal themes about commitment, devotion, jealousy and unrequited love.
- Where to watch: “Pillion” opens wide in U.S. theaters on Feb. 27
“Pillon” is, simply put, not the movie to take your parents to. This movie stars former “Harry Potter” supporting actor Harry Melling, who, like his character Colin, has very much come out of his shell by the end of this movie. That’s because he’s found a magic wand of his own … namely, the sexual organ of Ray, a reserved biker played by Alexander Skarsgård.
But “Pillion” is not gratuitous when it comes to its portrayal of sex on the silver screen. It feels intentional; the moments of sexual intimacy between Ray and Colin always feel necessary to further the growth of Colin as a character. And while this movie is not shying away from representing the culture of sadomasochism and leather daddy bikers, it tells a surprisingly universal love story about commitment, devotion, jealousy and unrequited love. It’s a combination that writer/director Harry Lighton brilliantly executes, and why this movie is now one of my favorite movies of the year so far.
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Malcolm McMillan
Streaming Editor
Malcolm has been with Tom’s Guide since 2022, watching dozens of movies a year, so you know what’s worth going to the theater for and spending your hard-earned money on.
‘Pillion’ tells a universal love story using a niche kink
As I mentioned, this movie definitely doesn’t hide that it’s about a gay sadomasochistic relationship. The first “date” we see Colin and Ray go on is essentially a short walk that ends in Colin performing oral sex on Ray in an alleyway. And Ray isn’t the most tender or gentle lover.
But it’s clear watching this encounter that the introverted Colin is happy to have someone show him the time of day. He’s also, quite possibly, finally being treated the way he’s always hoped to be, at least romantically. Sure, it’s not a normal dynamic, but it’s clear that this is far more enjoyable to Colin than the awkward blind date we see him on at the beginning of the movie.
Pillion | Official Trailer HD | A24 – YouTube
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These are universal romantic themes. You don’t need to be a timid gay man or a domineering biker to understand the feelings that Colin or Ray might be feeling, especially Colin.
Similarly, who hasn’t dated someone that their parents, no matter how understanding they try to be, simply don’t like? Colin’s parents are clearly (relatively) progressive — his mom sets Colin up on the first blind date we see. But she can’t handle her son’s new lifestyle or partner, because it doesn’t match up with her expectations. Her frustration likely comes from a good place, but it’s still a failure to understand and accept her son.
Of course, Colin doesn’t really know who he is either. He’s seemingly never explored his sexuality the way he is doing with Ray, and he’s still figuring out what he wants and what he doesn’t. It’s clear he enjoys, or at least finds value in subservience, but he also clearly needs validation in return, and more than what Ray is either willing to give or is capable of giving.
Ray might not know what he wants either. Frankly, you can argue he’s not a great dominant in this sub/dom relationship. Yes, he demands obedience from Colin plenty, but he fails to reward that obedience properly until Colin’s displeasure is so obvious that it’s written on his face. He also intentionally tries to make Colin jealous at one point, though he ultimately does reward Colin with a true moment of intimacy following that transgression. Again, we’re seeing this through the lens of an unconventional relationship, but these are very conventional themes of love and romance. Who hasn’t dealt with a partner that doesn’t meet their needs, that causes jealousy, etc.?
Ultimately, the relationship serves as an awakening for Colin, and by the end of the movie, Colin has had an epiphany of self-realization. He finds the balance he desires when it comes to being attentive and receiving affection, to being obedient and retaining some freedoms. Again, this is a universal story. Sure, we don’t all go on an emotional odyssey to realize we’re a sub with some complexities and nuances, but discovering who you are, what you like and what you need through the prism of a romantic entanglement is something most of us have experienced at some point.
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Verdict: ‘Pillion’ is one of the best movies of 2026 so far, and Melling and Skarsgård prove they’re stars
I know I say “Pillion” is a universal story, but I get that it isn’t for everyone. Whether it’s the subject material, the graphic way in which the BDSM sexual encounters are portrayed on screen or you just don’t typically enjoy a romance movie, I get why this movie might give you pause or not speak to you.
But I promise, if you can get yourself psyched up to see it, you’ll be rewarded with an incredible love story and an excellent movie. You’ll also get to see Melling and Skarsgård on screen together, and their chemistry is electric. Both men are putting on the performances of their careers, and they slip into their roles with ease. You believe you’re watching these characters, Colin and Ray, not the actors portraying them. You feel like you’re getting a peek into a real, complex relationship between two people with an undeniable spark.
“Pillion” opens wide in U.S. theaters today (Feb. 27)
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