William Shatner says Pillion opened his eyes to unfamiliar relationship dynamics

William Shatner has reflected on the impact of Pillion, the film starring Alexander Skarsgård and Harry Melling that explores a gay relationship shaped by desire, submission and control.

The Star Trek actor discussed the film during an appearance on Dropping Names, the podcast hosted by fellow franchise stars Brent Spiner and Jonathan Frakes. During the conversation, Shatner recalled an interaction with his friend, astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, whose unexpected physical gesture prompted him to think about the dynamics portrayed in the film.

The encounter brought home to Shatner how an action that might appear unusual to an outsider can carry a different meaning within a relationship. His response was rooted in his own experience of watching the film, rather than an attempt to speak for everyone represented by its story.

At 95, Shatner remains a familiar figure to generations of science-fiction fans, but his comments have also drawn attention to a film that explores an intimate world many viewers may not have encountered on screen before.

What is Pillion about?

Directed by Harry Lighton, Pillion stars Harry Melling as Colin, a shy man whose life changes when he meets Ray, a confident biker played by Skarsgård. Their attraction develops into a relationship in which BDSM, submission and the negotiation of control become central to their connection.

The film does not present their relationship as a conventional romance. Instead, it follows Colin as he discovers a new side of himself and works out what he wants from a partner whose confidence and expectations are very different from his own.

The story explores the emotional complexity beneath their arrangement, including vulnerability, dependence and the boundaries people establish in intimate relationships. Its focus on two men also places gay desire and a less commonly depicted relationship dynamic at the centre of the narrative.

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A different perspective on intimacy

Shatner’s reaction highlights one of the ways films can introduce audiences to experiences beyond their own. A story about unfamiliar relationship dynamics can encourage viewers to think about the difference between how an interaction looks from the outside and what it means to the people involved.

That does not make one person’s response a definitive account of gay relationships or BDSM. Rather, it illustrates how a particular film can prompt personal reflection and questions about intimacy, communication and power.

With Skarsgård and Melling leading the cast, Pillion takes an unconventional route through the romantic-drama genre. Shatner’s response has added another talking point to the film’s reception, drawing attention to the emotional questions beneath its provocative premise.

Image credits: Weiss Eubanks/NBCUNIVERSAL via Getty Images/A24 films