'Pillion' Earns Ovation, Skarsgård Praised at Cannes

Harry Lighton's directorial debut, 'Pillion,' a BDSM-themed queer drama starring Alexander Skarsgård and Harry Melling—known for his role in Harry Potter—premiered at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival to a seven-to-eight-minute standing ovation. The film, based on Adam Mars-Jones' novel 'Box Hill,' explores the power dynamics in a relationship between a charismatic biker gang leader and a timid parking attendant. Critics praised the movie for its complex handling of sexual themes and humanity, with Skarsgård and Melling delivering standout performances. Produced by Element Pictures and developed with BBC Film, 'Pillion' was acquired for U.S. distribution by A24. The premiere was notable for lively moments, including Skarsgård hugging a man in a gimp mask and sharing a playful exchange with Pedro Pascal. Director Lighton expressed his intent for the film to provoke laughter, thought, emotion, and arousal—goals many festivalgoers felt the film accomplished.