The Bikeriders is a 2023 drama film written and directed by Jeff Nichols (Take Shelter, Mud). It tells a fictional story inspired by the 1968 photo book of the same name by Danny Lyon and stars an ensemble cast that includes Jodie Comer (Killing Eve, The Last Duel), Austin Butler (Elvis), Tom Hardy (Inception, Mad Max: Fury Road), Michael Shannon (Man of Steel, Knives Out), Mike Faist (West Side Story), and Norman Reedus (The Walking Dead). The film premiered at the 50th Telluride Film Festival on August 31, 2023.
Kathy (Comer), a strong-willed member of the Vandals who's married to a wild, reckless bike rider named Benny (Butler), recounts the Vandals' evolution over the course of a decade, beginning as a local club of outsiders united by good times, rumbling bikes, and respect for their strong, steady leader Johnny (Hardy). Over the years, Kathy tries her best to navigate her husband's untamed nature and his allegiance to Johnny, with whom she feels she must compete for Benny's attention. As life in the Vandals gets more dangerous, and the club threatens to become a more sinister gang, Kathy, Benny, and Johnny are forced to make choices about their loyalty to the club and to each other.
The Bikeriders made its debut in theaters on June 21st, courtesy of Focus Features.
I absolutely loved this movie. I loved the story, I loved the characters, I loved the time period, and I just loved how it all came together in such a way that made everything feel so real. The story in itself just felt authentic and captivated me in such a way that only top-tier cinema is capable of. I get that most people view movies as a way to be entertained, and sure that is part of it, but for me the definition of quality filmmaking is exemplified when the experience goes home with you. Instead of feeling like you just watched a movie, you feel like you were there somehow experiencing the events of the film right alongside the characters. By the end I felt a genuine connection to these people to the point where I really cared about them and I desperately wanted to know what came of them after the events of the film.
The story is told from the perspective of Jodie Comer’s character Kathy, a young woman who inadvertently catches the eye of the volatile but fiercely loyal club member Benny, played by Austin Butler. Kathy and Benny become inseparable ensuring Kathy is intertwined with the club indefinitely. Because Benny is a favorite of club president and founder Johnny, played by Tom Hardy, Kathy proves to be a valuable resource for club member Danny Lyon, an aspiring photographer who begins capturing defining moments during his time with the club with the intention of writing a book someday.
Danny starts off taking pictures but ends up recording conversations with members as he attempts to learn more about the Chicago Vandals motorcycle club. The film jumps back in time quite a bit as Danny slowly unravels the story, allowing viewers the opportunity to get to know the members of the club and how Johnny came to create it. I really liked how they went about telling the story as in some ways it felt like a documentary, but also allowed viewers a chance to experience some of the more pivotal and defining moments for the club. I was glued to my seat from start to finish, and it was crazy how anxious I was during the final act of the film. The core of the story centers on the vision Johnny had for this motorcycle club, and ultimately the harsh reality he faces when the realization sets in that it has become too big and ultimately impossible for him to control. This is cinema in its purest form.
The cast for this film was nothing short of incredible. The majority of the screen time goes to Jodie Comer, Austin Butler, and Tom Hardy, but the film includes a stellar supporting cast that helped to make this film the special experience that it is. Of the primary three mentioned I would have to say that Tom Hardy was my favorite, but I am also a bit biased as he is one of my favorite actors altogether. The guy is not only extremely talented, but there is also something to be said about an actor who plays the role of a badass when he is also a badass in real-life.
You may not know this but Hardy is a blue belt in jiu-jitsu and actually competed in and won several tournaments back in 2022. Crazy right?! Also if you haven’t seen him in the 2011 MMA inspired film Warrior, get on it because it is fantastic. As an actor Hardy just has a certain energy about him, and his ability to actually become a character is uncanny. He was just so damn believable in this movie, and it was instantly obvious why the men in his club would follow him to the ends of the Earth. He demanded respect from his guys, but he also loved and protected each and every person that stood by him.
Austin Butler has become a bit of a heartthrob since playing legendary musician Elvis, and The Bikeriders gives him yet another opportunity to show off just how good he looks in black. I thought Butler was very believable as the carefree and fearless pretty boy that would do anything for the Vandals. Early on in the film Kathy’s character tells Danny that in many ways Johnny loves Benny so much because he envies the fact that he has the ability to not allow anything to bother him, a trait difficult to fathom for a man like Johnny who outside of the club has a family and a regular job. Hardy and Butler had a unique chemistry that helped to form what was very clearly a unbreakable bond, one that really hits hard during the films final act.
Jodie Comer who as I said is really at the center of the story, was just awesome. First and foremost Comer is gorgeous, that is simply undeniable. Plus she has proven she can hold her own with the guys in films like Free Guy (our full review here) and The Last Duel (our full review here). Comer nails her accent and is very believable as this strong-willed but sort of all over the place young woman still clearly trying to find her place in the world. She is seemingly just going through the motions when she meets Benny, a life-changing encounter that if nothing else adds unlimited excitement to her life. I enjoyed Comer’s character and felt like her chemistry with Butler’s character was genuine, and she was clearly the best person to tell this story.
As far as the ridiculous supporting cast I mentioned, where do I even start?! I mean seriously, this film is just stacked with talent. I really enjoyed Boyd Holbrook as Cal, easily one of the more likable characters in the film with his laid back demeanor and infectious smile. I am a huge fan of veteran actor Michael Shannon and was very pleased to see him take on the role of Zipco, a surprisingly complex character who opens up as the story progresses. Zipco helps to paint the picture of the struggle for young men as it related to the pressures of the Vietnam War. Shannon is an incredible actor and he was just perfect for this role.
I really liked Damon Herriman’s portrayal of Brucie, one of the more even-keeled members of the club who was loved and respected by everyone. I wouldn’t necessarily consider Herriman to be a household name although he has 118 acting credits according to his IMDb filmography. His most notable role for me was the FX series Justified where he played Dewey Crowe, but he was really good here and another one of my favorite characters who helps add to the emotional element of the film.
I can’t talk about how great the entire supporting cast was in this because we would be here all day, but I do need to mention Emory Cohen in his role as Cockroach, and The Walking Dead’s Norman Reedus as Funny Sonny. Both actors are nearly unrecognizable in their roles, especially Reedus, and both added a ton of value to the film. I also saw a very interesting interview with Reedus about how he came upon this project and the fact that he personally owns several prints from the Danny Lyon book the film is based on.
On the technical side of things The Bikeriders transports audiences back to a different and in many ways simpler time. A film like this needs to feel authentic to the time period in order to effectively tell the story, and everyone that worked on this project took that mission to heart. The cinematography, the score, the set design, wardrobe, and the overall production value all came together in such a way that made it feel like we were watching a documentary. The film just has a very clear identity right from the start, and talented writer/director Jeff Nichols clearly took a great deal of pride in ensuring he did right by the memory of this legendary motorcycle club.
THE VERDICT
An experience so full of life that in many ways it transcends cinema, The Bikeriders is equally inspiring, thought-provoking, and tragic thanks to an incredible cast and a truly captivating screenplay.
This film was just on another level for me, and I honestly can’t stop thinking about it. I feel like it is rare that we get films like this these days so I highly recommend getting out to the theater and experiencing it for yourself sooner than later. I am already making plans for a second viewing - it really is that good.
TED TAKES RATING - 9.3/10
The Bikeriders is now playing only in theaters. Check out the latest trailer below.