Alexander Skarsgård Gets Hot and Heavy With Harry Melling in New Trailer for Their New A24 Romance

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Harry Melling and Alexander Skarsgard in Pillion.

Ryan O'Rourke is a Senior News Writer at Collider with a specific interest in all things adult animation, video game adaptations, and the work of Mike Flanagan. He is also an experienced baseball writer with over six years of articles between multiple outlets, most notably FanSided's CubbiesCrib. Whether it's taking in a baseball game, a new season of Futurama or Castlevania: Nocturne, or playing the latest From Software title, he is always finding ways to show his fandom. When it comes to gaming and anything that takes inspiration from it, he is deeply opinionated on what's going on. Outside of entertainment, he's a graduate of Eureka College with a Bachelor's in Communication where he honed his craft as a writer. Between The IV Leader at Illinois Valley Community College and The Pegasus at Eureka, he spent the majority of his college career publishing articles on everything from politics to campus happenings and, of course, entertainment for the student body. Those principles he learned covering the 2020 election, Palestine, and so much more are brought here to Collider, where he has gleefully written on everything from the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes to Nathan Lane baby-birding sewer boys.

Just in time for Valentine's Day, A24 is bringing what will be one of the spiciest romantic comedies of 2026 to theaters — Pillion. The queer love story casts Harry Potter alum Harry Melling as Colin, a timid, socially awkward man whose world is rocked upon meeting Ray, a devilishly handsome and confident biker played by Murderbot and Succession standout Alexander Skarsgård. He becomes Ray's devoted submissive, opening up a thrilling new world of desire that the wallflower never knew. Ahead of its February 6 arrival, a new trailer has been released, highlighting their unconventional bond and the complexities they face as Colin begins questioning what he really wants out of the relationship.

The footage and Colin and Ray's relationship begins in a back alley on Christmas, as the meek young man lets his statuesque date do "whatever you want" with him. His parents are quite excited that he managed to spread his wings and meet someone, but it's not the type of relationship they expect. It's all about BDSM, with less kissing and more devotion to Ray's every word, even if it means sleeping on the floor or giving up a seat on the couch to the dog. At first, Colin is thrilled by this new arrangement, becoming enraptured by the enigmatic biker, finding a welcoming place in Ray's community, and feeling more confident in his new identity. The honeymoon phase comes to an end when he brings Ray to meet his protective family, and he realizes he'd be happier if they had a more loving relationship focused less on primarily serving his dominant. Both partners will grow through their experience, but whether they can find a happy middle ground and blossom into something more remains to be seen.

Harry Lighton made his feature directorial and writing debut with Pillion, which was inspired by Adam Mars-Jones' 2020 novel Box Hill. As teased in the trailer, it aims to balance its kinky central romance with a bit of black comedy, highlighting the unlikely pair of Melling and Skarsgård. At its heart, though, it's more of a coming-of-age film about a gay man struggling to figure out what makes him happy, learn his limits, and decide whether the ravishing hunk he's with is the love of his life or not. Douglas Hodge and Lesley Sharp also appear as Colin's parents.

'Pillion' Was a Sizzling Hit on the Festival Circuit

Following its premiere at Cannes last year and subsequent debut in U.K. cinemas, Lighton's first film has been showered with praise for its deep, sensitive, and introspective approach to its unconventional relationship. Pillion came away from its festival debut with the Best Screenplay prize in the Un Certain Regard section, while also scoring nominations for the Caméra d'Or, honoring best first features, and the Queer Palm. It still holds a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes from critics, too. Collider's Emma Kiely was among those singing its praises in her 9/10 review, hailing it for the chemistry of its leads and for "combining a compelling coming-of-age story, an endearing comedy, and a sex-positive odd romance into one of the best films of the year."

Pillion rides into theaters on February 6. Check out the trailer in the player above.