Pillion, a dark comedy psychological drama film, arriving in U.S. theaters on February 6, 2026, is generating significant buzz—and controversy.
This British erotic drama, directed by Harry Lighton and starring Alexander Skarsgård and Harry Melling. It premiered at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Un Certain Regard Award for Best Screenplay and earned a thunderous seven-minute standing ovation.
Critics have praised it as a remarkably assured feature directorial debut. But before you or your teens consider watching, here’s what parents absolutely need to know about this explicit, boundary-pushing film.
Pillion Age Rating: Parents Guide
Age Rating: TV-MA (Mature Audiences Only)
The TV-MA on streaming platforms are explicit warning: this film is not intended for audiences under 17 and contains material that requires parental discretion even for older teens. This isn’t a rating slapped on lightly. Pillion earns every bit of its restricted designation through graphic sexual content, explicit nudity, and mature thematic material that goes well beyond typical adult entertainment.
Sexual Content: Very High – GRAPHIC AND EXPLICIT
This is the most significant content issue with Pillion. The film features graphic and explicit depictions of BDSM activities, including scenes of submission, oral sex, and group sexual activities. The sexual content is presented without euphemism or fade-to-black moments.
Director Harry Lighton has described the film as intended to “make you laugh, make you think, make you feel, and make you horny”—and the sexual content is integral to that vision. The scenes are shot in an unflinching, matter-of-fact manner that neither hides nor sensationalizes the acts depicted. This isn’t implied sexuality or suggestive scenes—it’s explicit depiction of sexual acts. For this reason alone, this film is absolutely not appropriate for teenagers.
Nudity: Frequent and Full
Expect extensive full-frontal nudity from both lead actors throughout the film. Alexander Skarsgård and Harry Melling appear nude in multiple scenes, including during sexual content and in everyday contexts. The nudity is frequent, casual, and presented without modesty or censoring. This goes significantly beyond typical R-rated film nudity in both frequency and comprehensiveness.
Language: Moderate to High
The dialogue includes frequent strong profanity and frank discussions about sex and power dynamics. While not the primary content concern, the language is adult-oriented and used liberally throughout the film. Characters discuss sexual preferences, anatomical details, and desires with explicit terminology.
Thematic Elements: Mature and Complex
Beyond the sexual content, Pillion tackles sophisticated and heavy themes. The film deals with terminal illness—Colin’s mother is dying of cancer—and explores grief and family dynamics alongside the central romance. More significantly, the film examines psychological control and the complexities of a power-imbalanced relationship.
The relationship between Colin and Ray is deliberately depicted as unhealthy and potentially toxic. Ray is emotionally distant, controlling, and sets rigid rules. Colin struggles with his own desires and boundaries within the relationship. The film doesn’t shy away from showing how this dynamic can be psychologically damaging, particularly as Colin attempts to navigate his own identity and needs within a relationship that prioritizes Ray’s dominance. These are mature psychological themes that require significant life experience and emotional maturity to process.
Violence: Low, But Psychologically Intense
There is no traditional “action” violence in Pillion. However, some scenes involve the physical intensity associated with BDSM. More significantly, there’s a scene where a character intentionally harms themselves (a minor burn) during an emotional breakdown. While not graphically depicted, this moment is powerful and distressing. The psychological intensity of the film—particularly regarding control, submission, and emotional pain—is more psychologically “violent” than physically violent.
What Parents Need to Know
The Story and Premise Colin is a shy, timid man in his mid-30s living with his parents in suburban London. He works a menial job and is largely directionless. His parents are loving and accepting of his sexuality—they actively encourage him to go out and date. Everything changes when Colin meets Ray, a charismatic, impossibly handsome biker and leader of a motorcycle club.
Ray takes interest in Colin and initiates a BDSM relationship where Colin becomes Ray’s submissive. Over the course of a year, Colin shaves his head, wears a padlock as a symbol of his devotion, and fully embraces the submissive role—both sexually and domestically. The film follows Colin’s journey as he navigates this intense, often painful relationship while also dealing with his mother’s cancer diagnosis.
It’s Not a Romance While Pillion is being marketed by some as a “queer romance,” it’s more accurate to describe it as a character study of codependency, control, and self-discovery. The relationship between Colin and Ray is emotionally complex and deliberately unhealthy. Ray is cold, distant, and emotionally withholding. He sets absolute rules that Colin must follow. The film doesn’t present this as ideal or romantic—it presents it as real, with all its psychological complications. Some viewers find Colin’s journey empowering; others find it tragic. This ambiguity is intentional.
The Director’s Vision Harry Lighton’s feature directorial debut is visually striking and thematically ambitious. He’s created a film that treats BDSM and queer sexuality with matter-of-fact acceptance rather than shock value or exploitation. Critics have noted that Lighton approaches the subject with nuance, avoiding stereotypes about both gay relationships and BDSM communities. However, this artistic approach doesn’t change the fact that the film is explicitly sexual and psychologically intense. In fact, the maturity with which Lighton handles the subject might make parents even more concerned—this isn’t a salacious exploitation film; it’s a seriously crafted meditation on sexuality, identity, and control.
Critical Reception and Awards Pillion has received near-universal critical acclaim. It earned 100% on Rotten Tomatoes with an average rating of 8.1/10. Metacritic assigned it a score of 86 out of 100, indicating “universal acclaim.” It won the Un Certain Regard Best Screenplay award at Cannes and received three British Academy Film Award nominations and two British Independent Film Award nominations. This level of critical success is significant. However, critical acclaim doesn’t change the rating or the content. A film can be brilliantly made and still be entirely inappropriate for teenagers.
Why It’s More Than Just “Adult Entertainment” Pillion isn’t a mainstream erotic thriller. It’s a character-driven indie drama about identity, control, vulnerability, and self-discovery. The sexual content serves the story rather than being the entire point. This complexity is part of what makes it such powerful cinema—but also why it requires genuine maturity to process thoughtfully. A teenager watching this film would likely focus on the sexual content and shock value rather than engaging with the deeper psychological and philosophical questions the film raises.
The Elephant in the Room: Is This a Healthy Relationship? Reviewers and viewers have widely noted that Ray and Colin’s relationship is not presented as healthy or aspirational. It’s controlling, emotionally distant, and psychologically complex. Some viewers see Colin’s submission as empowering; others see it as self-destructive. The film refuses to judge—it simply shows. This moral ambiguity is artistically sophisticated but also means the film doesn’t provide a clear message about healthy relationships. For teenagers still developing their understanding of what healthy relationships look like, this ambiguity can be confusing rather than enlightening.
What Parents Can Do
Understand That “It’s Art” Doesn’t Make It Age-Appropriate: Pillion is undoubtedly art. It’s a beautifully crafted, critically acclaimed film. However, artistic merit doesn’t change age-appropriateness. Just as a teenager shouldn’t see an explicitly sexual film because it won an award, they shouldn’t see this one either. Art can be both excellent and inappropriate for certain audiences.
Don’t Use This as a “Learning Experience”: Some parents might be tempted to use Pillion as an educational film about sexuality, BDSM, or LGBTQ+ relationships. This isn’t the appropriate vehicle for that education. There are far better resources—documentaries, educational materials, age-appropriate conversations—for discussing these topics.
Watch It Yourself First: If you’re considering this film for any reason, watch it yourself. You need to understand exactly what your teen would be seeing. Don’t rely on ratings or descriptions. The only way to make an informed parental decision is to see the content firsthand.
Have a Conversation About Why: If your teen is interested in this film or hears about it from friends, have a respectful conversation about why it’s rated R and why you’re choosing not to allow viewing. Explain that maturity includes respecting ratings and understanding that some content is created for adults. This teaches media literacy and respect for established guidelines.
Is Pillion Suitable for Teens?
Short Answer: No. Absolutely Not for Anyone Under 18.
Let’s be direct: Pillion is not suitable for teenagers. Here’s why:
The Sexual Content Is Disqualifying: The graphic and explicit sexual content alone makes this inappropriate for teenagers. This isn’t bikini-adjacent nudity or fade-to-black sexuality. It’s explicit depiction of sexual acts. Even older teens who might be ready for some mature content aren’t ready for this level of explicitness. Period.
The Relationship Dynamics Are Confusing: The film deliberately presents a psychologically complex, controlling relationship. A teenager developing their understanding of healthy relationships shouldn’t have their first exposure to BDSM be through an intentionally unhealthy dynamic presented in an artistically ambiguous way. They need clearer frameworks first.
The Emotional Weight Is Heavy: The film deals with cancer, grief, psychological control, and emotional vulnerability. These are real issues teens might face, but not through the lens of this explicitly sexual film. The weight of the mother’s illness and Colin’s internal struggle shouldn’t be experienced alongside graphic BDSM scenes.
There’s No Educational Value That Justifies the Content: Unlike a documentary or educational film that might tackle mature subjects for legitimate learning purposes, Pillion is entertainment. It’s art, yes, but it’s not designed to educate teenagers about sexuality, relationships, or identity. The explicit content isn’t there for educational reasons—it’s integral to the artistic vision.
The Only Exception Would Be… …an 18-year-old (preferably a college student) who is demonstrably mature, has strong media literacy skills, and you’ve personally watched and determined aligns with your values. Even then, it’s borderline. Most 18-year-olds would benefit from waiting another year or two.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Pillion appropriate for teenagers?
No. The explicit sexual content and mature psychological themes make it unsuitable for anyone under 18.
Q: Does Pillion contain graphic sexual scenes?
A: Yes. The film includes explicit depictions of BDSM activity and full nudity.
Q: Does Pillion include violence or disturbing moments?
A: There is no traditional action violence, but some scenes involve intense BDSM activity and a brief self-harm moment.
Q: My teen is 17. Is there any chance this would be appropriate?
A: In most cases, no. The graphic sexual content and complex relationship dynamics make it unsuitable even for older teens.
Q: Can I just skip the sex scenes?
A: Not realistically. The sexual content is central to the story and character development, so skipping scenes removes key context.
Q: Is this film promoting BDSM to teenagers?
A: No. The film is made for adults and does not target teen audiences. However, it presents BDSM without judgment, which may confuse younger viewers.
Q: Is there anything redeeming about this film for teens?
A: The film explores identity and self-discovery, but those themes are presented through explicit adult content.
Q: How does this compare to “Call Me By Your Name”?
A: Call Me By Your Name is less explicit overall. Pillion contains significantly more graphic sexual content and nudity.
Q: Are there trigger warnings parents should know about?
A: Yes. The film includes terminal illness, grief, psychological control, explicit sex, and a brief self-harm moment.
Q: Could we watch this together as a family?
A: That is a personal decision, but the explicit sexual content may make family viewing uncomfortable.
Q: What about showing it once they turn 18?
A: At 18, the decision becomes more individual. Parents can still discuss timing and maturity.
Q: Where can you watch Pillion?
A: Pillion is playing in select U.S. theaters following its limited release on February 6, 2026. The film is distributed by A24. After its theatrical run, Pillion is expected to stream on Apple TV+.