It begins with a snap of the helmet. The soft hum of a motorcycle waiting. And a boy, who was pale, awkward, and alone, got into the back seat.
He has no idea where they are going.
He just knows that he’s never felt more alive.
Harry Lighton, a first-time director, takes us deep into a world of unspoken rules, leather jackets, emotional control, and the dangerous closeness of trust in Pillion. This isn’t your typical queer drama. It’s sexual, graphic, and emotional, and its raw honesty shocked Cannes.
After the credits rolled, the crowd stood for seven minutes. Some were crying. Some people were shocked. And ever since then, the internet has been asking:
When does the pillion come out? When can we see it for ourselves?
Pillion Release Date
The wait is almost over. The UK release date for the official pillion is now set for November 28, 2025, according tot he Wikipedia.
Picturehouse Entertainment is in charge of the movie’s distribution. It will be shown in some UK theaters just in time for awards season and encore screenings at festivals.
In the meantime, A24 will likely release the movie in the U.S. soon after, probably in December 2025 or early January 2026, which is how the company usually does things.
After its amazing debut at Cannes 2025, where it got a 7-minute standing ovation, Pillion has become one of the most eagerly awaited queer dramas of the year.
What Is Pillion About?
Pillion is based on the book Box Hill by Adam Mars-Jones. It tells the story of Colin (played by Harry Melling), a shy, unsure young man who gets into a dominant-submissive relationship with Ray (Alexander Skarsgård), the powerful leader of a gay biker gang.
What starts as a physical exchange of power turns into something that is emotionally dangerous. Pillion doesn’t seem to care about the sex, the control, or the pain that lies beneath it all.
Melling looks nothing like his old “Dudley Dursley” self anymore. Skarsgård, who is already known for playing bold characters, leans into Ray’s animalistic charm while still keeping his depth.
This is not a story about love. It’s a story about giving in.
A Debut That Dominates
Harry Lighton, the director, didn’t play it safe. He fought to keep the film’s graphic BDSM scenes in place because he didn’t want to dull the edges of a story that depends on emotional honesty. People are already saying that Pillion is one of the most daring directorial debuts in years.
Lighton won Best Screenplay (Un Certain Regard) at Cannes, and the film’s nominations for Caméra d’Or and the Queer Palm confirmed what many people thought: Pillion is more than just shock value. It’s a work of art.
Controversies & Conversations
There is some controversy around Pillion.
Some people who didn’t like the movie wondered if it made unhealthy power dynamics seem romantic. Some people said that the BDSM representation was done with a level of subtlety and clarity that is hard to find. It’s clear that Pillion doesn’t try to lessen the tension between submission and freedom.
It asks tough questions, and it doesn’t care if you feel uncomfortable while you answer.
Cast & Crew
- Harry Melling as Colin: Quiet, yearning, emotionally raw
- Alexander Skarsgård as Ray: Commanding, sensual, unpredictable
- Director & Writer: Harry Lighton
- Based on: Box Hill by Adam Mars-Jones
- Produced by: Element Pictures, BBC Film, BFI
- Distributed by: A24 (US), Picturehouse (UK)
FAQ — Pillion Release Date & More
What does the name “Pillion” mean?
The word “pillion” means the seat for a passenger on a motorcycle. This is a metaphor for Colin’s literal and emotional position in the story. He isn’t in charge; he’s just along for the ride… until that changes.
Will Pillion be shown at LGBTQ+ film festivals before it comes out in theaters?
Very likely. Because of its themes and success at Cannes, insiders think it will be shown at major LGBTQ+ festivals like BFI Flare, Outfest, and Frameline before or at the same time as its official release.
Is Pillion part of a series of movies or just one?
Pillion is a separate adaptation of Adam Mars-Jones’s book Box Hill. But director Harry Lighton has said that he would like to work on similar themes in the future, but not with the same characters.
What is the length of Pillion’s runtime?
The movie lasts about 106 minutes and has a good mix of emotional pacing, strong character development, and intense, private scenes.
Final Thoughts
Pillion isn’t nice. It doesn’t come with any extra wheels. It’s a ride or a relationship that needs all of your attention.
As the release date for the pillion gets closer, everyone is watching this unapologetically queer, emotionally brutal drama to change the way movies talk about power, intimacy, and identity.
Will you ride or run? Leave your thoughts below and let us know: Who’s really in charge?
