"Pillion": A Reinterpretation of Adam Mars-Jones' "Box Hill"

The film Pillion, directed by Harry Lighton, is an adaptation of Adam Mars-Jones' 2020 novel Box Hill: A Story of Low Self-Esteem. The novel chronicles the story of 18-year-old Colin Smith, who enters into a dominant-submissive relationship with an older motorcyclist, Ray. The book depicts this relationship as crossing the line of consent.

A Thematic Shift for the Screen

The film Pillion reinterprets the novel's themes, presenting a dark comedy that focuses on emotional neglect rather than physical abuse.

Set in the present day in Bromley, southeast London, the film features Harry Melling as an older, more experienced Colin. This portrayal sees Colin living with his parents and as a member of a barbershop quartet.

The Unfolding Dynamic

Colin encounters Ray, played by Alexander Skarsgård, leading them into a dominant-submissive dynamic. Colin takes on a subservient role, which includes performing domestic tasks for Ray, sleeping on the floor, and riding on the back of Ray's motorcycle.

He also engages with Ray's biker group, which appears to exhibit similar relationship structures among its members. The film explores the dynamics of pleasure and pain within such relationships, doing so without explicit judgment.

Evolving Attachments and a Hopeful Resolution

As the relationship progresses, Colin begins to seek more equity and attention. His resolve is notably influenced by his mother, played by Lesley Sharp, who is battling terminal cancer and expresses a desire for her son to find a stable, loving relationship.

Skarsgård's portrayal of Ray delves deeper, revealing underlying panic and insecurity, which suggests a developing attachment to Colin. Significantly, unlike the novel's tragic conclusion, the film steers towards a more hopeful resolution.