Pillion first posters starring Harry Melling and Alexander Skarsgård released

The first character posters for Pillion have finally made it's way to fans, and they immediately set the tone of being equal parts sensual and heartfelt. The new posters show both Harry Melling and Alexander Skarsgård in full focus, as the characters are seen drenched, wearing matching chains with pendants that highlight their dynamic. Melling is seen with a lock pendant, while the latter is seen wearing a key.

Fans are already hooked and intrigued, as the film has received much praise among its festival run and early reviews. With a 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes and an 85 on Metacritic, it's obvious that Pillion is getting the right attention it deserves.

In an interview with Vanity Fair, the director Henry Lighton describes the film as being passionate but also funny in a way fans would probably not expect. Speaking to the outlet, he says:

"I also didn’t want to create a distance between the audience and Colin and Ray through irony. That’s probably where the sweetness comes through. The film is meant to be funny, and I want people to laugh. But it’s not meant to be funny in a way which detaches you from the people in front of the camera."

Earlier posters for the film showed a towering, condensed red title with a lone biker in boots in the frame, a minimalist, almost graphic design that shows the film's different premise than a straightforward romance. Either way, Pillion is making it's way to becoming one of the most talked about films of the year, with the first look at the characters teasing the highly anticipated trailer that will drop tomorrow.

More details about Pillion

Marking Harry Lighton's directorial debut, Pillion serves as a charged, bruised and strangely tender romantic comedy that takes the scenic route through biker bars, leather clubs and the hidden corner of desire. The film is based on Adam Mars-Jones' 2020 novel Box Hill and brings Harry Melling and Alexander Skarsgård together as Colin and Ray, two characters from different worlds.

Colin, a quiet, uncertain young man who lives with his parents falls in love with Ray, the magnetic and domineering leader of a biker gang. What begins as a hesitant encounter quickly spins into a passionate relationship that challenges everything Colin knows about freedom, intimacy and control.

The film premiered at Cannes, earning a seven minute standing ovation, the award for Best Screenplay and the coveted Palm Dog. Lighton reportedly worked on the script with real-life members of the Gay Bikers Motorcycle Club, who even made an appearance in the film.

Joining Melling and Skarsgård in the film are Douglas Hodge, Lesley Sharp, and Anthony Welsh deliver strong supporting turns. Music fans will clock Jake Shears, frontman of Scissor Sisters, making his acting debut after trading the stage for the screen.

Shot across South East England, from Lullingstone Castle to Sevenoaks, the film blends grit and beauty, reflecting the push-pull of Colin and Ray’s relationship. Rumors of multiple cuts swirled, including Skarsgård teasing an even raunchier “director’s cut,” but what audiences saw at Cannes was described as the “family-friendly” version, albeit with its edge intact.