Forget festive schmaltz, the best Christmas film this year is a gay biker dom-com | Kitty Grady

The debate over whether Die Hard can be considered a Christmas movie has been raging for years, with some arguing that the 1988 action classic simply uses the holiday as a backdrop. But what makes a truly worthy Christmas film?

For many, it's not about happy-ever-after sentimentality, but rather about striking a balance between cynicism and nostalgia. Take, for example, Stanley Kubrick's Eyes Wide Shut, released in 1999. Despite its hefty budget, the film manages to avoid the fuzziness that often plagues festive films. Instead, it explores themes of marital infidelity and consumerism, rendering Christmas as a time of alienation rather than joy.

Then there's Steven Spielberg's Catch Me If You Can (2002), which masterfully strikes this balance. The film's final sequence, set in a French village with twinkling fairy lights and carolers, is a perfect encapsulation of the peering-through-the-window feeling many of us experience during the holiday season.

But what about more recent films that push the boundaries of traditional Christmas movies? Enter Harry Lighton's breakout film Pillion, released last week. Based on Adam Mars-Jones's novel Box Hill, it follows a sub/dom relationship between biker Ray and Colin in suburban Bromley. Set during Christmas, the film takes a bold stance by eschewing sentimental sentimentality for an unsentimental look at queer relationships.

Lighton has stated that he aimed to comment on how queer relationships don't fit into heteronormative domesticity – a theme encapsulated beautifully through the contrasting settings of Colin's family home and Ray's spartan, leather-clad world. Like The Holiday (2006), which also challenges traditional notions of festive films, Pillion proves that Christmas movies can be so much more than just happy-ever-after tales.

In conclusion, what makes a truly worthy Christmas film? For this writer, it's about striking a balance between cynicism and nostalgia – conjuring Christmas without sentimentality is its own skill. And with Pillion, we see a welcome example of this. Whether you're into action films like Die Hard or more nuanced explorations of queer relationships like Pillion, the best festive films approach Christmas as aesthetic or intellectual terrain, rather than as a vehicle for happy-ever-after normalcy.

Ultimately, the most memorable Christmas movies are those that manage to tap into our collective experiences – whether it's feeling left out during family gatherings, exploring themes of marital infidelity, or simply finding joy in the alien landscape of consumerism.

can we get some more nuanced films about christmas that aren't just happy endings? like, what if christmas is actually a time for stuff getting weird and uncomfortable? i feel like pillion kinda gets at this vibe, but also die hard does too when you think about it... maybe that's what makes christmas movies so great - they can be both joyful and bleak at the same time

omg i think pillion is a game changer like die hard vs christmas movie it's all about perspective, but pillion is more than just a quirky take on queerness – it's a scathing commentary on societal norms and the way we try to fit into these heteronormative expectations. i love how it subverts that with ray's character being this rough around the edges but somehow still finds community in colin. and can we talk about the cinematography? the way the christmas lights and decorations clash with ray's dark leather jacket is EVERYTHING

omg i'm so down with this film i just saw pillion last night and i gotta say its defo changed my perspective on christmas movies. like, who needs all that cheesy happy-ever-after stuff when you can explore real life issues? especially ones that affect the queer community, it's about time we see more representation on screen . and i love how lighton tackled the theme of domesticity vs wild freedom - its so relatable to anyone who's ever felt like they don't fit into societal norms . anyway, gotta give a shoutout to harry lighton for creating something so bold and thought-provoking, cant wait to see what he does next .

Pillion is like a breath of fresh air for me. I was skeptical at first thinking another Christmas movie would just be sappy romance but this one subverts all that expectation and still manages to evoke holiday vibes without being too cheesy. It's refreshing to see a film tackle complex themes like queerness in a non-sentimental way

I gotta say, I'm loving Pillion right now . It's like, we all know Christmas movies are supposed to be super cheesy and feel-good, but sometimes that's just not what resonates with us. You know? Like, I can appreciate a good Die Hard marathon as much as the next person, but sometimes it feels like they're hitting me over the head with sentimentality . But Pillion, man... it's like Lighton took all those feelings of alienation and consumerism that come with Christmas and turned them into something beautiful . And I love how he subverts traditional notions of family and relationships - it's so refreshing to see queer relationships being given center stage during the holidays .

omg i'm so down for pillion being a christmas movie it's like lighton is speaking straight to my soul with how he depicts queer relationships during the holiday season... i mean who needs happy-ever-after when you can have something real and raw?! also i love how the article mentions die hard as a comparison - like, let's be real yippee ki yi yay ain't exactly festive vibes but seriously pillion is giving me all the feels with its commentary on societal norms and the struggle of finding one's place in the world. it's not your typical christmas rom-com, and i am HERE FOR IT

omg i'm so down for pillion!! i love how lighton tackles queer relationships without being all sappy and sentimental about it like most christmas movies. i think what makes a good christmas film is when you can relate to it on some level, whether it's feeling left out or just trying to find joy in the midst of all the chaos. eyes wide shut is so underrated btw that kubrick film is like the dark horse cousin of christmas movies. and catch me if you can is like the ultimate example of balance between cynicism and nostalgia but i think pillion takes it up a notch by being honest about how hard it is to fit in during the holidays, especially when you're part of an marginalized community

Ugh I'm so over people trying to force Die Hard as a Christmas movie Like what even is that?! Just because Bruce Willis has a nice pair of boots doesn't make it a Christmas movie . And don't even get me started on the whole "Christmas in July" thing, like how do they plan these things? Can we just have one holiday where we can relax and not think about stuffy romance or familial drama?

I love when movies like Eyes Wide Shut come along and subvert expectations – it's like Kubrick is saying "hey, I'm gonna take this festive film template and turn it on its head". And that final scene in Catch Me If You Can, oh man... it's like Spielberg is winking at us, saying "we get it, we're all stuck outside the party, too".

But honestly what really gets me is when people say Christmas movies have to be happy and sentimental. Like, no way! I want a holiday film that makes me feel weird, uncomfortable, or just plain old human. That's how we know they're good.

I gotta say, I'm loving Pillion this year . It's like, we've been conditioned to believe Christmas is all about sugary sweetness and feel-good vibes, but what if that's just a facade? We've got Pillion coming out of nowhere and serving up a cold dose of reality. A queer relationship set during Christmas? That's not something you see every day .

And let's be real, folks, the best holiday films are the ones that make us feel uncomfortable. It's like, we're forced to confront our own biases and emotions, rather than just being spoon-fed a heartwarming tale of love and redemption . I mean, sure, Die Hard might be fun, but it's no Pillion when it comes to truly capturing the complexities of human experience .

I think what resonates with me about Pillion is its willingness to challenge traditional notions of Christmas as a time for romance and family. It's like, what about all the people who don't fit into those narrow expectations? We need more films that speak to the weirdos and misfits out there .

So, yeah, I'm all for Pillion this year. Let's celebrate Christmas with some grit, some edge, and maybe a few tears ️.

I think its all about findin a balance between bein sentimental and bein real . All these Christmas movies that are just straight happy endings can get old, ya know? But then you got ones like Eyes Wide Shut and Catch Me If You Can that go deeper and show the not-so-jolly side of holiday season.

And I gotta say, I love how Pillion is tacklein this whole queer relationship thing in a non-sentimental way. It's all about findin your own truth and not bein forced into some heteronormative norm . And that final sequence with the twinklin lights and carolers? Forget about it, its like they're speakin straight to my soul .

I'm so over the whole "Die Hard is a Christmas movie" debate . Its all just a bunch of people tryin to get into this box that don't fit 'em. But when you find a movie that does, thats when you know its somethin special .

You know I'm gonna defend Platform all day , but seriously Pillion is a game changer! It's like, we need more films that tackle tough stuff like queer relationships and non-traditional family dynamics during Christmas. Die Hard might be an action classic, but it can't compete with the depth of Pillion .

I love how Lighton's film flips the script on what makes a "Christmas movie" – instead of all the cheesy sentimentality, we get a raw and honest look at queer relationships that don't fit into traditional domestic spaces . And I think that's what makes it so powerful, you know? It's like, Christmas isn't just about happy family gatherings and presents under the tree; it's also about feeling seen and understood.

And can we talk about how much I love the cinematography in Pillion? The way they capture the contrast between Colin's family home and Ray's spartan world is like, totally stunning . It's like Lighton took all these beautiful Christmas visuals and turned them on their head to show us something new and real.

Anyway, if you haven't seen Pillion yet, what are you even doing with your life? Go watch it ASAP and let's discuss!

I think what really gets me about Pillion is how refreshingly real it is . Like, let's be real, not all Christmas movies are going to make you laugh and cry at the same time, but that doesn't mean they can't be beautiful in their own way. I love that Harry Lighton isn't afraid to tackle some heavy stuff about queer relationships, because for so long they've been left out of the festive conversation . It's like, Christmas is supposed to be a time of joy and giving, but what about when it feels more like obligation? When do we get to explore that side of things on screen? Pillion feels like the kind of film that makes you think , not just something that's going to leave you feeling all warm and fuzzy inside .

I gotta disagree with all this sentimentality . What makes a truly worthy Christmas film is total absurdity and ridiculousness . Think Die Hard as a Christmas movie – it's like the ultimate celebration of explosive action and cheesy one-liners . Spielberg's Catch Me If You Can is cool, but only if you're into the whole "gritty" holiday vibe . And Pillion? More like Pileon – total weirdness for the sake of being different .

Give me a movie that's unapologetically over-the-top and entertaining, with no pretense about "exploring deeper themes". That's what Christmas is all about – embracing the chaos and having a blast . Sentimentality is just code for "I'm too boring to have any real fun" . So, yeah, let's keep it weird and wild this holiday season .

so I think Pillion is actually kinda genius for tackling a super niche topic like queer relationships during Christmas and not making it all sappy at the same time, but can we also talk about how Die Hard has been this Christmas movie for decades already and no one's even bothered to give it a second thought ?

idk why ppl make christmas movies so perfect all the time its like the whole point is 2 have some cheesy moments n stuff... i mean dont get me wrong, im all 4 a good cry but sometimes u just need sumthing a lil more real

omg i am so down for a christmas movie that doesn't follow all the traditional cliches like ray and colin in pillion are such complex characters they dont fit into heteronormative domesticity at all and its so refreshing to see a queer relationship as the main focus especially during christmas time when it feels like everyone else is getting along so much more than us lol

I'm still trying to wrap my head around Pillion ... I mean, who would've thought that a Christmas movie about queer relationships in suburban Bromley could be so refreshing? But for me, it's not just about the bold stance taken by the filmmakers – it's also about how they manage to find beauty in the unlikeliest of places. You know, we often talk about the idea of "home" and what that means to us, but Pillion shows us that home can be a lot of different things for different people.

It makes me think about my own holiday experiences growing up... my family's always been super close-knit, so I never really felt like an outsider during Christmas. But watching movies like Die Hard or Elf as a kid made me realize that everyone has their own unique experience of the holidays – some people might be lonely, others might be struggling financially, and still, others might just be trying to find meaning in a world that's not always full of joy.

I think what Pillion does so beautifully is it validates all those different experiences, even if they're not necessarily the ones we see on screen. It's like, yes, this is a Christmas movie about queer relationships, but it's also a human story – one that explores all the messy, complicated emotions that come with love, family, and identity.

Anyway, I'm just gonna say it: Pillion feels like a breath of fresh air during the holiday season

I think Pillion is kinda cool how it breaks the traditional Christmas movie mold . Not your typical feel-good story with a happy ending. It's more like looking at Christmas through a different lens - all the weird and wonderful stuff that happens during the holiday season when everyone's supposed to be jolly . I also love how Lighton explores themes of queer relationships in a way that feels really authentic . Not too sentimental, not too serious... just right. Pillion reminds me of those indie films that are more about the atmosphere and mood than anything else - you know, like when you're just chillin' on a cold winter's night, watching something that makes you feel all sorts of emotions .

I mean, Pillion is like this really underrated gem right? It's got a unique vibe going on and I'm all about it . I love how it subverts those traditional Christmas movie expectations and instead gives you something real, you know? Not that sappy family drama or romance stuff, but something that actually explores the complexities of human relationships during the holidays.

I also appreciate how Lighton uses setting to create this sense of contrast between Colin's sterile suburban life and Ray's edgy biker world. It's like, they're living in two different worlds, and Christmas is just one more thing for them to navigate. And that ending? It's like the ultimate holiday anti-climax – it's not all sunshine and rainbows, but it's still a beautiful moment.

But you know what really gets me? How Pillion makes me feel like I'm seeing Christmas for the first time. Like, it's this whole new experience, you know? The twinkling lights, the carolers... it's all just so different from how I've seen it before. And that's exactly what a good holiday film should do – make you see things in a new way.