Alexander Skarsgård Reveals ‘Raunchier’ Cut of Pillion Exists

"Pillion," directed by Harry Lighton in his feature debut, is a British romantic comedy-drama based on Adam Mars-Jones’ 2020 novel "Box Hill." The film centers on Colin (Harry Melling), a timid young gay man, and Ray (Alexander Skarsgård), the enigmatic leader of a queer biker club, whose relationship unfolds through a BDSM dynamic. After its world premiere in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, Pillion drew wide acclaim for its performances, direction, and its nuanced portrayal of queer intimacy and power exchange. The film received a seven-minute standing ovation, won Best Screenplay, and was noted for its daring approach to sexual content—one reviewer called it “what 'Fifty Shades of Grey' should have been” . Its UK release is scheduled for November 28, 2025, with a US release to follow in February 2026 .

In interviews following the film’s premiere, both Skarsgård and Lighton confirmed the existence of a “raunchier” version of "Pillion." Skarsgård described the released version as “the family-friendly version” and referenced an “Alexander Skarsgård cut” that contained significantly more graphic sexual content . Lighton explained that while the original cut featured scenes intended to push boundaries—including a close-up frontal shot—he ultimately decided to remove several explicit sequences to avoid making the audience feel “deliberately shocked by an image.” Lighton said, “There was one close-up of a dick, a hard dick… like down the barrel of the lens. And after watching the film on that ‘f**k-off’ screen, I thought, ‘Yeah, cutting it was probably the right decision!’” .

Skarsgård also noted that the cast worked closely with intimacy coordinator Robbie Taylor Hunt to shoot scenes that were “way more graphic” than what made it into the final film. He emphasized that the intent was not simply to shock, but to integrate the explicitness into the dramatic narrative of the relationship .

The decision to pare back the graphic content was shaped by both artistic intention and a broader consideration of audience reception. Lighton expressed a desire to avoid alienating viewers or reducing the film’s impact to mere provocation. “I didn’t want to push the audience into feeling they were being deliberately shocked by an image,” he said . This choice reflects ongoing debates within the film industry about balancing authenticity with accessibility, particularly in stories depicting LGBTQ+ lives and sexuality.

The existence of a more explicit cut raises questions about the limits placed on queer representation in mainstream cinema. LGBTQ+ films have historically faced heightened scrutiny regarding sexual content, with many directors pressured to sanitize or limit depictions of intimacy to secure distribution or avoid controversy. As Skarsgård’s comments suggest, Pillion’s final edit represents a compromise between creative vision and market realities .

For many LGBTQ+ viewers and advocates, Pillion stands out for its willingness to foreground queer desire and kink without apology. The film’s explicit scenes are integral to the character arcs and emotional stakes, reflecting both the complexity and legitimacy of BDSM relationships within the queer community. Critics have praised the film for its refusal to reduce kink to titillation or spectacle, instead presenting power exchange as a site of vulnerability and connection .

The film’s reception at Cannes and subsequent festival screenings has sparked conversation about the importance of authentic representation. Several commentators noted that while mainstream films often shy away from depicting LGBTQ+ intimacy in full, Pillion’s willingness to push boundaries—even if ultimately scaled back—signals progress. As one reviewer wrote, “It’s messy, erotic, and sometimes uncomfortable—but that’s exactly what makes it so compelling” .

The news of a “raunchier” cut has also generated interest among fans and LGBTQ+ media watchdogs. Some have called for the unreleased footage to be made available, arguing that queer audiences deserve the same access to candid depictions of intimacy as their heterosexual counterparts. Others have pointed out that the film’s final version, while explicit, still offers a rare and meaningful portrayal of gay sexuality on screen .

Pillion’s journey—from production to premiere, and now to the revelation of its alternate cut—illustrates both the advances and ongoing challenges facing LGBTQ+ filmmakers. The collaboration between Skarsgård, Melling, Lighton, and intimacy coordinator Robbie Taylor Hunt is being hailed as a model for ethical, affirming production practices in sex-positive storytelling .

As the film prepares for broader release, its legacy may be defined as much by what audiences see as by what remains unseen. The discussion sparked by Skarsgård’s comments has ensured that questions of censorship, creative freedom, and authentic LGBTQ+ representation remain at the forefront of the cinematic conversation.

Alexander Skarsgård’s revelation about Pillion’s unreleased explicit version underscores the delicate balance between artistic authenticity and the realities of film distribution. The film’s approach to queer intimacy, kink, and vulnerability has resonated with critics and audiences alike, and the ongoing dialogue about what was left out only deepens its impact. For LGBTQ+ cinema, Pillion represents both a milestone and a reminder: stories of queer love and desire deserve to be told in their full complexity, on screen and beyond.