The Cannes Film Festival over the weekend gave us more than just Pedro Pascals arms to obsess over, especially after the gay dom/sub movie, Pillion, became the most talked-about premiere. Despite the graphic content, the film still earned a seven-minute standing ovation once the credits rolled. Besides that, central star Alexander Skarsgrd also gave us some sexy-ass leather pants to gawk over, kissed Pascal on the red carpet, and sent the Twittersphere into a frenzy over pup hoods and prosthetic pieces. The movie also gave us the second naked Harry Potter star this year, following Jason Isaacs baring it all in The White Lotus.But what is the hype all about?From its motorbike club premise to its A24 pedigree, heres everything we know so far about Canness kinkiest crowdpleaser.What is a pillion?Besides being the title of the film, a pillion is the backseat of a motorcycleperfect shorthand for submission in both biker and BDSM circles.Written and directed by queer newcomer Harry Lighton, Pillion follows Ray (Skarsgrd), the alpha leader of a London motorbike club, who spots wallflower Colin (Harry Melling) singing in a barbershop quartet and invites him into the fulltilt world of leather, chains, and 24/7 power exchange.As Skarsgrd told Stephen Colbert, Colin is kind of my boyfriend slash sex slave slash butler, and yes, theres naked wrestling.But as Colin plunges deeper, he must decide if living as Rays submissiveand literally riding pillionis truly for him.Meet the leads: Skarsgrd as dom Ray and Melling as shy ColinSkarsgrd leans into Rays magnetic menace: a tattooed biker who issues orders with a single look. Opposite him, Mellingbest known as Dudley Dursley in Harry Potter and a breakout star of The Queens Gambitplays Colin with wideeyed vulnerability.Their chemistry, according to reviews, is about to have us all hot and bothered after we see it. Whether theyre lacing up combat boots or sparring shirtless in a ring, the explicit nature of the film is equally kinky, romantic, and about to serve us all of our fantasies on a silver platter. As Colin learns to lick boots and don a lockandchain collar, Mellings transformation from nervous suburbanite to willing sub anchors the films emotional core.A supporting cast worth riding for.Pillion doesnt stop at its leads. Scissor Sisters frontman Jake Shears makes his acting debut as a fellow sub who shares an NSFW picnictable scenecomplete with a penis prosthetic sporting a Prince Albert piercing.See on InstagramElsewhere, out gay biker Paul Tallis popped up in a pup hood, which he posted on his Instagram, and allegedly gave Melling a masterclass in bootlicking on set. See on InstagramPlus, several reallife club members appear in cameos, lending gritty authenticity to the leatherandlash tableau.The A24/Lighton dream teamIn October, A24 scooped up U.S. rights to Pillion, adding it to a slate that includes MaXXXine and Everything Everywhere All at Once.Lightonwhose BAFTAnominated short Wren Boys explored queer love in a mens prisonintroduced Pillion at Cannes with a wink, saying I hope it makes you laugh, makes you think and feel, and maybe makes some of you a little bit horny or a lot. Lets see. See on InstagramJudging by the audiences reaction, the gamble paid off.Leather, boots, and prosthetics: the wardrobe buzzSkarsgrd arrived at the premiere in skintight leather pants and Loewe biker boots, then later upped the ante in Saint Laurent thighhigh fetish boots, per WWD.Under a simple white tee depicting a dom boot over a sub, he strutted the carpet like the ultimate bedroom dom. Social media went wild. (@) Alexander Skarsgrds Cannes look IM OBSESSED, wrote one fan. (@) Another cheered, So happy Alexander Skarsgrd came out of his cave to remind me what hot men actually look like.The Cannes kiss heard round the CroisetteAfter Pillions standing ovation, Skarsgrd embraced fellow attendee Pascal and stole a quick kiss. The clip went viral overnight, even though it was later confirmed as a peck on the cheek. (@) Still, the moment has already cemented Pillions place in festival lore, which celebrated men in leather and gave us all something to cheer about.Early reception from critics and fansAs with anything, queer or not, the reviews have been as mixed as theyve been ecstatic.The Daily Beast called Pillion delightfully tender, praising its balance of raw sex and genuine romance. Reuters noted Lightons comedic touchesunscripted blunders that make the awkward positions laughoutloud real. The Hollywood Reporter confirmed a sevenminute ovation, though some insiders quipped that Cannes standingovation metrics are themselves an industry ritual ripe for critique.We only needed to hear sexually explicit content between Skarsgrd and Melling to catch our attention, but the reviews have further whet our appetite and also given us hope that theres more to the film than raunchy sex.When (and where) can we all ride together?While Pillion has burned rubber at Cannes, an official U.S. release date remains unannounced. Until A24 or Element Pictures drops the green light, well have to edge out our excitement while we wait.Whether youre a seasoned kinkster or simply curious, Pillion delivers a full-throttle ridecomplete with leather, chains, tears, laughs, and maybe a sob or two when Colin asks, Do I really want to ride pillion forever? At Cannes, the answer was a resounding yes.Stay tuned for trailers, ratings info, and maybe a directors cut featuring even more leather.