{"id":4699,"date":"2026-04-10T10:49:10","date_gmt":"2026-04-10T10:49:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tmbglobal.news\/index.php\/2026\/04\/10\/henry-lightons-pillion-takes-the-wheel\/"},"modified":"2026-04-10T10:49:12","modified_gmt":"2026-04-10T10:49:12","slug":"henry-lightons-pillion-takes-the-wheel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tmbglobal.news\/index.php\/2026\/04\/10\/henry-lightons-pillion-takes-the-wheel\/","title":{"rendered":"Henry Lighton\u2019s \u2018Pillion\u2019 takes the wheel"},"content":{"rendered":"

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A pillion refers to the passenger seat behind a motorcyclist, a fitting title for Harry Lighton\u2019s debut feature that explores the dynamics of a dominant-submissive relationship in the biker scene. While there are scenes in \u201cPillion\u201d that may make many in the audience uncomfortable with its explicit depiction of erotica, the film doesn\u2019t shy away from this feeling; rather, it leans into it, diving headfirst into both the good and the bad of the LGBTQ+ BDSM community.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Our lead character is Colin (Harry Melling), a timid and meek young man who sings in a barbershop quartet and still lives at home with his overbearing parents. As fate has it, one day in a bar, Colin meets the gruff and incredibly attractive Ray (Alexander Skarsg\u00e5rd), who takes an immediate interest in Colin. The two eventually engage in a long-term BDSM dominant-submissive relationship. Colin moves into Ray\u2019s house and follows Ray\u2019s orders both domestically \u2014 from doing housework to making meals \u2014 and sexually. He assimilates into Ray\u2019s way of life, joining him and his biker friends on trips and spending nearly all of his time at Ray\u2019s house, much to his parents\u2019 dismay. As their relationship progresses, Colin must learn how to draw the line between Ray\u2019s demands and his own boundaries.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The heart and soul of \u201cPillion\u201d are the two dynamic main characters. Colin and Ray begin as polar opposites, but over the course of the film, the two learn from each other. Ray is introduced as aloof and impossibly cool, dressed in leather and riding his motorcycle, while Colin is depicted as his polar opposite: awkward, timid and often embarrassing. However, through their development, the film reveals their depth. Ray views sex as impersonal and uses it to avoid true emotional intimacy. We witness his fear of vulnerability as his relationship with Colin deepens, and Ray weaponizes his authority over him to try to keep him at arm\u2019s length. This mentality pits him against Colin, who believes that love is the purpose of everything and is unafraid of a deeper relationship, seeking out a real connection with Ray.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Colin\u2019s parents are key to contextualizing this story by offering an outside perspective from someone unfamiliar with the BDSM community, representing the judgment that members face. In one particular scene, when Ray joins Colin\u2019s family for dinner, this judgment is on full display as Colin\u2019s mother is put off by the two\u2019s dynamic. She yells at Ray, \u201cI don\u2019t like how you treat my son!\u201d in an immensely awkward yet crucial scene, the first of many signals that lead to Colin reevaluating their relationship. At first, Colin believes that her judgment stems from a lack of understanding; however, he comes to realize that her concern has merit, and parts of their relationship are incredibly toxic and need to be addressed. In a pivotal moment of the film, Colin\u2019s mother dies, forcing Colin to reflect on her concerns and realize that, as he puts it, he \u201ccould be happier.\u201d It\u2019s the needed catalyst for him to finally realize that his relationship with Ray needs new boundaries, as he finally prioritizes his own needs.\u00a0<\/p>\n