Pillion is a 2025 British romantic comedy-drama directed by Harry Lighton in his feature debut. Adapted from Adam Mars-Jones’ 2020 novella Box Hill, the film stars Harry Melling and Alexander Skarsgård and explores a relationship that challenges conventional romantic dynamics.
Set largely in South East England, the film follows Colin, a shy 35-year-old parking attendant who still lives with his parents, and Ray, the confident leader of a gay biker gang who introduces him to a new world.
The story unfolds across suburban streets, countryside roads, and historic estates, grounding its intimate character study in recognisable British settings.
The real-world locations play a key role in shaping the atmosphere of Pillion, reflecting both Colin’s ordinary routine and the unfamiliar spaces he steps into as his life begins to change.
Exploring the real-life settings behind the film
Much of Pillion was filmed in South East England, with production primarily based in and around Bromley in southeast London. Filming also extended into Kent, including Sevenoaks and the historic Lullingstone Castle estate near Eynsford.
According to IMDb, Principal photography began on July 29, 2024, and wrapped in early September 2024, giving the film a late-summer shoot.
Bromley plays a central role in Pillion. Market Square in Bromley was used for key scenes, including moments set during Christmas. High Street, Bromley, also appears in the film, as do Martins Hill Open Space on Church Road and Queensmead Recreation Ground on Glassmill Lane.
These public spaces were used for football match scenes, park walks, and the so-called “day off” sequences between Colin and Ray.
In an interview with ScreenDaily, director Harry Lighton explained why shooting guerilla-style in Bromley was important to him. He said:
“I was dead set on doing that, because I wanted the day-off scene to feel visually different, and to feel like their relationship, which had been quite enclosed and had an element of fantasy to it, was suddenly put out into the quote-unquote ‘normal world’. But it was easier said than done. Nick Morris and his camera team created all these ingenious contraptions. There was a wheelie bin and a plant pot that had cameras hidden inside.”
By filming among real shoppers and passersby, Pillion blends staged drama with everyday life. Kent also features prominently in the film.
The Sevenoaks area provided rural roads and countryside backdrops for biker sequences, while Lullingstone Castle offered a historic and visually striking setting. Castle Farm in Shoreham, Sevenoaks, was used for outdoor scenes, including river sequences.
Lighton described filming a picnic and skinny-dipping sequence in a challenging environment, noting:
“We shot at a lavender farm, and the bit when they’re running naked into the river, it just so happened that it was lavender harvest day, so we had to put up some privacy screens.”
Studio work for Pillion was completed at Great Point Studios in Cardiff.
Everything we know about Pillion
The film Pillion is a British romantic comedy-drama written and directed by Harry Lighton. The film was released in theaters on February 6, 2026, in the United States, with A24 handling the distribution.
The story centers on Colin, played by Harry Melling, a shy 35-year-old man who lives with his parents. His routine life is disrupted when he meets Ray, portrayed by Alexander Skarsgård, the charismatic leader of a gay biker gang.
Ray introduces Colin to a submissive dynamic within their relationship, pulling him into a leather-clad subculture that challenges his sense of identity and control.
As Colin steps deeper into Ray’s world, he is forced to confront both his insecurities and his desires.
The cast of Pillion also includes Lesley Sharp and Douglas Hodge as Colin’s parents, along with Jake Shears and members of the Gay Bikers Motorcycle Club (GBMCC), many of whom appear onscreen as Ray’s gang.
Their presence adds authenticity to the biker scenes and reflects the film’s commitment to community representation.
Speaking in the same interview about shooting the wrestling and intimacy scenes between Colin and Ray, Melling explained that they had barely any time to get familiar with each other beforehand, as Skarsgård was filming the Apple TV series Murderbot at the same time. Melling said:
“We had a week shooting the Christmas scenes with Colin’s family, while Alex was away shooting [Apple TV series] Murderbot. Alex arrived on the weekend, and we had a rehearsal for the wrestling scene on the Monday, so we met, shook hands and just jumped on each other, really. It was diving in at the deep end, but it was kind of wonderful. These characters don’t know much about each other when they meet, so it was a nice way of doing it.”
At its core, Pillion is about transformation. Colin’s journey unfolds across recognisable British spaces, from suburban streets to wooded clearings and riverside landscapes.
Pillion is now available in theaters in the United States.
