An unassuming young man has his head turned in spectacular fashion by a charismatic biker with an interest in extreme role-play in Harry Lighton’s erotically charged debut. Colin (Harry Melling) still lives at home, and although out as a gay man, he is shy and awkward, finding his voice only when performing in his barbershop quartet. He is propositioned one night by Ray (Alexander Skarsgård); a swaggering, monosyllabic, leather clad, hyper-masculine biker. Colin’s expectations of a romantic first date evaporate when he finds himself in a kinky all-fresco tryst the following day (Christmas). This is the beginning of Colin taking on the role of Ray’s live-in submissive, expected to meet all his domestic and sexual needs. Pillion is a disarmingly warm-hearted and accessible exploration of an aspect of queer life little seen onscreen.

Notes by David O’Mahony