Watch Alexander Skarsgard Dominate Henry Melling In The Wildly Sexy “Pillion” Trailer
A24’s latest queer film Pillion just dropped its first trailer, and it’s packed with raunchy humour and surprising heart.
The BDSM romance marks Harry Lighton’s directorial debut. It centres on Colin, a timid man stuck in neutral, and Ray, the magnetic leader of a motorcycle club who becomes his dominant.
Henry Melling takes on Colin. You might remember him as Dudley Dursley from the Harry Potter films or Harry Beltik in The Queen’s Gambit. Alexander Skarsgård, known for True Blood and Big Little Lies, plays Ray with a commanding presence.
What happens when a wallflower meets a leather-clad dominant?
The official synopsis sets up the dynamic: Ray pulls Colin out of his monotonous suburban existence and introduces him to a world of kinky queer bikers. Along the way, Colin experiences a lot of firsts.
But as Colin sinks deeper into Ray’s structured world of rules and secrets, doubts creep in. Is this 24/7 submissive lifestyle his true calling, or has he simply traded one cage for another?
The trailer serves looks and laughs.
Set to Peggy March’s I Will Follow Him, the trailer opens with Ray approaching Colin at a bar. What follows is a whirlwind of chaotic, comedic moments that establish their power dynamic.
Ray channels serious Eric Northman energy when he refuses to let Colin sit next to him at dinner, reserving the spot for his Rottweiler instead. Colin shrieks during a wild wrestling match. He runs Ray’s errands like an obedient pup.
The trailer peaks with an awkward exchange when Ray tells Colin to buy a butt plug because he’s “too tight.” Colin’s flustered response? “Yeah, yeah, erm… lovely. That sounds like a plan… Bye then.”
Critics are obsessed.
Pillion premiered at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival to serious buzz. It won Best Screenplay in the Un Certain Regard Awards, with nominations for the Caméra d’Or and Queer Palm.
The film currently holds a perfect 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics have praised the lead performances, Lighton’s fearless direction, and the unexpectedly moving love story at its core.
Pillion: Alexander Skarsgård's gay biker asserts dominance in kinky, and unexpectedly hilarious, first trailer 🏍️🏳️🌈https://t.co/WttbADeGNh pic.twitter.com/A6f3dpebdE
— GAY TIMES (@gaytimes) October 1, 2025
The cast and release details.
Based on Adam Mars-Jones’ novel Box Hill, the film features Douglas Hodge as Pete, Lesley Sharp as Peggy, Anthony Welsh as Darren, and Scissor Sisters frontman Jake Shears as Kevin, another submissive.
Pillion hits UK cinemas via Picturehouse on 28 November.
Watch the first Pillion trailer below.
