BDSM and kink hasn't had great representation on screen. Thanks to the shallow and harmful Fifty Shades of Grey, we now have a deluge of ‘soft core porn' streaming titles that portray BDSM purely as something ‘damaged' women let dominating men do to them. In comes writer and director Harry Lighton—with his debut feature, no less—to challenge this awful trend with the provocative but touching Pillion.

Yes, there are several steamy scenes as we witness the timid Colin (Harry Melling) become the submissive of the dashing biker Ray (Alexander Skarsgard), but Lighton isn't here to prod the proverbial hornet's nest. Pillion is a judgement-free insight into the gay BDSM community that ends up exploring universal themes of love, connection and identity. Wrestling in assless chaps isn't just steamy but human; at once sexy, funny, and an insight into one's psyche.

The film introduces us to Colin on a date with a kind enough man in his local pub. Turns out the date was set up by Colin's over-bearing mother (Lesley Sharp), who he still lives with. On the same night, the ridiculously handsome Ray—having drinks with the biker gang—swoops in as an enigmatic force. Colin and Ray then hook up on Christmas Day in a side alley, and Colin quickly becomes Ray's submissive. He sleeps on the floor, cooks and cleans for Ray, and does his master's bidding.

But this isn't a grim story about control. The central relationship is one of mutual understanding and, yes, love. Pillion has set a new high bar in BDSM and kink representation because here, it's not viewed as something dangerous. Ray never forces Colin to do anything, and lets him know he can walk out of this at any time. BDSM, in the real world, can be a healthy part of any relationship, and Lighton shows that. Ray breaking into a rare, genuine smile shows he does care for Colin, even when acting as his dominant.

Pillion's drama comes from the character's internal conflict, not the acts of BDSM. Colin finally finds direction in his life as an obedient man and falls deeply in love with Ray, who himself struggles with connection—which is at odds with how he grows closer with Colin. Their relationship brings their wants, needs and flaws to the foreground, and the question for audiences is whether their arrangement will grow into something more or self-destruct.

Skarsgard is perfect casting for the mysterious and effortlessly cool Ray, but he also gets to show a tender, more vulnerable side. It's Melling who is the standout here. Initially timid and awkward, he provides many laughs that make light of the situations rather than punch down on the gay community. But Melling morphs alongside his character, who drastically changes over the runtime as Collin becomes more confident and assured.

A striking debut, Lighton has joined the likes of Jane Schoenbrun in creating a radical piece of queer cinema that will likely become a future classic. Pillion isn't just for LGBTQ+ audiences, but for anyone. Submit to the film, and you'll get a lot out of it.