Alexander Skarsgård reveals his dad’s ‘freaky’ reaction to his BDSM film

Alexander Skarsgård has shared his famous dad Stellan Skarsgård’s response after watching his new eyebrow-raising BDSM ‘dom-com’ Pillion – and it’s truly iconic.

Fans have been in a froth over Pillion ever since it premiered to rave reviews and an eight-minute standing ovation at Cannes Film Festival in May.

The movie follows a BDSM relationship between enigmatic biker Ray (Skarsgård) and parking attendant wallflower Colin (Harry Melling) and is written and directed by British filmmaker Harry Lighton in his feature-length debut.

Pillion does not hold back in its depiction of the kinky subculture, including the usual dog collars and patent black leather alongside naked wrestling, genital piercings, bodily fluids and the immortal line: ‘Buy yourself a butt pug, you’re too tight.’

It’s not for the faint of heart – I described it as ‘delightfully smutty and obscene’ in my review for Metro.

But Alexander’s fellow actor father Stellan, who is creating his own waves with awards season hopeful Sentimental Value, has gone along to support his son’s work.

Describing his reaction, 49-year-old Alexander told On Demand Entertainment: ‘He really enjoyed it. It meant a lot to me because it’s very dear to me, this film.

‘It was a beautiful day to have – I was in the theatre, and to sit next to Dad and watch him watch this thing was special. The fact that he really responded to it meant a lot to me.’

The True Blood star, who has also really enjoyed dressing on theme for the film’s press tour, then added: ‘No notes from daddy.’

This four-word remark has both shocked and tickled people online as they wait for Pillion’s release.

‘Can’t imagine watching the kinky movie you made with your father even if the whole family acts,’ shared one alarmed fan, while Clem observed: ‘His commitment to always saying things in the weirdest and most uncomfortable way possible is genuinely admirable.’

‘”No notes from daddy” is the best kind of praise! Stellan Skarsgård’s approval is a high compliment,’ tweeted Brijesh Kumar Yadav, while @HelloElara quipped: ‘Imagine acting so good even your dad, Stellan Skarsgård, just sits back and says nothing.’

Others were absolutely revelling in the phrasing Alexander had used to describe his 74-year-old father’s reaction.

‘I’d say “that would be awkward” but I know better, I know this family, they’re all freaks. Just an average day in the Skarsgård household for them,’ posted Elise, while Bruno Mello added: ‘People shocked have not been paying attention to the Skarsgårds… they’re raw, passionate about their craft and very European.’

‘Stellan was in Nymphomaniac, Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, so this is just a normal day for him,’ pointed out @bellatrixstark, while Gracie agreed: ‘The father was in Nymphomaniac, so obviously no notes.’

‘If Stellan loved it then that means the freakiness is gonna be off the charts, movie of the year incoming,’ predicted @lizmaxxing.

This is not the first time Alexander has pushed the envelope in terms of his acting choices, having previously breastfed from co-star Mia Goth for sci-fi body horror flick Infinity Pool in 2023, where he also fought a naked version of himself to the death.

Meanwhile, co-star Harry first broke through playing Dudley Dursley in the Harry Potter film series.

The 36-year-old has since gone on to enjoy a diverse career, appearing in The Queen’s Gambit for Netflix, the Coen brothers’ Western anthology film The Ballad of Buster Scruggs and irreverent religion-based puppet comedy Hand to God on London’s West End.

Pillion releases in UK cinemas on November 28.

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