Alexander Skarsgård Stars in Passionate Trailer for BDSM Romance Pillion with Harry Melling

Need to Know

• Alexander Skarsgård and Harry Melling star in the upcoming dark romantic comedy-drama Pillion.
• The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2025.
• “I was hooked from the first page of the script,” Skarsgård remarked about the BDSM romance.

In the latest trailer for Pillion, Alexander Skarsgård and Harry Melling navigate the complexities of love and desire in a bold new queer romance. The film, which marks the directorial debut of Harry Lighton, tells the story of Colin, played by Melling, a timid and aimless man who enters into a dominant-submissive relationship with Ray, portrayed by Skarsgård, an enigmatic biker.

The trailer, released on January 14, opens with Colin glancing at Ray, who is clad in a full leather riding suit, as they walk through a dimly lit alleyway. Ray approaches Colin, stating, “What am I gonna do with you?” to which Colin replies, “Whatever you want, really,” leading to a revealing moment as Ray unzips his uniform.

:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(787×272:789×274):format(webp)/Pillion-trailer-011426-4-98e81f30c2b44437bd34786ef3a7e78c.jpg)
Alexander Skarsgård in "Pillion".
A24/Youtube

Subsequent clips provide a glimpse into Colin and Ray’s unconventional relationship, as Colin embraces submission and undergoes a transformation, proudly wearing a collar despite his family’s objections. At one point, a woman asks Colin, “How did you get a man like that?” He coyly responds, “I have an aptitude for devotion.”

As the trailer progresses, Colin starts to question his happiness within their unique dynamic. In a pivotal exchange, Ray asks, “Colin, if you’re not happy,” but Colin interjects, “No, I’m happy … I can just maybe be happier. That’s all.”

Before the filming began, Skarsgård revealed in an interview with W Magazine that he and Melling met just two days prior to shooting, forging their connection in a rather unconventional manner. “There’s a big wrestling scene in the film, and we met rehearsing that,” he explained. “It was great to get to know each other in our little buttless singlets.”

Reflecting on the story’s essence, Skarsgård noted, “I thought it was going to be more of a sub/dom story than a rom-com, but it was also sweet and tender.” He described the film as, “Colin, a wallflower, goes on a date with Ray, the enigmatic leader of a bike gang, and it’s the beginning of a strange relationship.” His enthusiastic endorsement came with the candid admission that he was captivated from the very first page of the script.

Pillion is set to hit select theaters on February 6, followed by a nationwide release on February 20.

:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(914×472:916×474):format(webp)/Pillion-trailer-011426-3-264146908f344ef6bf2e9c0269cfe1c0.jpg)
Harry Melling in "Pillion".
A24/Youtube