This was sadder than I expected 😢

I would be lying if I said I decided to watch this film for any reason other than Alexander Skarsgård, but I ended up staying for a very sensitive commentary on self-discovery, exploration, communication, autonomy and limits. As someone who isn't entirely familiar with the BDSM subculture, the little I know is that communication and consent are pillars to their dynamics, as well as boundaries. And this is what you will see here: A character (Colin) who has lived a life in the shadow of his parents, with no experience or experimentation that resulted from his own searching, but ends up not only discovering autonomy but learning the importance of verbalizing his needs and asserting his limits. In contrast, we have another character (Ray) who has lived a life in BDSM dynamics, doesn't seem to be interested in a sentimental relationship within the dom × sub configuration and flees the minute he finds himself infatuated by the very person he subjugated (in the BDSM notion) as his "slave", threatened by his newfound agency and lack of control. Pillion cuts deep when we are shown that love isn't the purpose of everything, as Colin believed. We are reminded that romantic and sexual dynamics are different for everyone and left disappointed in not seeing the love story we were conditioned to fantasize about not materialize. Aside from a few abrupt cuts that left to be desired about their story as a "couple" and a somewhat uninteresting soundtrack, this was genuinely a very interesting watch to say the least.

There's nothing to it... I mean, I'm maybe not its intended audience, but it's just pathetic and awkward relationship.

Very romantic, funny and pretty close to reality. I was perhaps expecting to be shocked, maybe it's because of the reviews through a straight lens.