Alexander Skarsgard Kisses Pedro Pascal's Cheek During Standing Ovation for Queer BDSM-Themed 'Pillion' at Cannes 2025 Premiere

Alexander Skarsgard is overcome with emotion!

The 48-year-old actor gave Pedro Pascal a hug and kiss on the cheek during what was described by THR as an “electric seven-minute standing ovation” for the 2025 Cannes Film Festival premiere of his movie, Pillion, on Sunday (May 18).

The BSDM-themed queer film marks the directorial debut of Harry Lighton.

The movie centers around Colin, a shy London lad (Harry Melling), who encounters the smoldering and charismatic leader of a motorcycle club named Ray (Skarsgard) on Christmas Eve at a local pub. After a steamy oral sex session in an alleyway, Ray takes Colin under his wing by making Colin his submissive as they get tangled up in a relationship built around power dynamics.

Keep reading to find out more…

Here’s more about what the title of the movie means, per THR: “The word ‘pillion,’ more commonly used in Britain than the U.S., refers to the seat occupied by the passenger riding behind the driver on a motorcycle. Also known in queer parlance as a bottom.”

The review also notes that Alexander “sports an extra large pierced prosthetic” in the movie.

The director said during his opening presentation that he hoped the film made the audience laugh, think and a little “horny.”

Find out what else just happened at Cannes.

Check out footage from inside the premiere above, as well as photos from the photocall at Cannes inside…