6/7 🪩 🪩 🪩🪩🪩🪩
Pillion is very much a film for the LGBTQ+ community and its allies. Partly because, yes, there is a lot of gay sex, but what really drives the movie is its exploration of devotion, destruction, power, and identity. You’ll laugh at moments, feel deeply uncomfortable at others, and—perhaps most unsettling—see pieces of yourself reflected in the characters. It’s a film that provokes thought as much as emotion: it makes you happy, sad, curious, and uneasy, sometimes all at once.
Visually, the cinematography is strong, often telling its own story between the frames. While some narrative choices may feel questionable or even frustrating, they ultimately serve the film’s larger purpose. This isn’t a Cinderella story—but in a strange way, it is a hero’s journey. Not necessarily a tale of what to aspire to, but more of a cautionary tale about what to avoid.
Alexander Skarsgård is genuinely surprising here. Beyond the obvious charisma, he pulls you into the story with a performance that balances menace and vulnerability. He plays the villain convincingly, yet at times completely disarms you, even melting your heart. It’s a sharp double-edged sword of a performance.
Harry Melling, however, is the emotional backbone of the film. He goes all in, navigating a wide spectrum of emotions with such depth that his performance is what truly makes the film work. It’s the kind of role that wouldn’t feel out of place in awards conversations.
In the end, Pillion is a compelling and unsettling look at the dynamics of control and submission within a relationship… if it can even be called one. It’s challenging, uncomfortable, and thought-provoking, and while it may not be for everyone, it leaves a lasting impression long after the credits roll.
Emotion: 7/7
Editing & Story: 5/7
Visuals: 6/7
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