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A24’s Pillion Opens in Limited Release, a Queer BDSM Romance From Debut Director Harry Lighton

Critics applaud a consent‑forward portrayal of kink anchored by standout lead performances.

Overview

  • The film opens in select U.S. theaters today, with a nationwide expansion slated for February 20 via A24.
  • Harry Lighton adapts Adam Mars-JonesBox Hill, opting for a lighter register than the novel’s darker turns.
  • The story centers on a dom–sub relationship between a timid man and a mysterious biker within a queer motorcycle community.
  • Reviews from outlets including the Associated Press, Rolling Stone, and The Film Stage praise Lighton’s debut and the work of Harry Melling and Alexander Skarsgård.
  • Production emphasized safety and authenticity through rehearsed choreography, intimacy coordinator Robbie Taylor Hunt, and on-screen participation from Gay Bikers Motorcycle Club members.