The Bikeriders (2024)

“The Bikeriders” stars Jodie Comer, Austin Butler, Tom Hardy, Michael Shannon, Mike Faist, and Norman Reedus.  Released on June 21, 2024, the film depicts the rise of an outlaw motorcycle club.

The film was written and directed by Jeff Nichols, who also directed “Shotgun Stories”, “Take Shelter”, “Mud”, “Midnight Special”, and “Loving”.  It is inspired by the 1967 photo book by Danny Lyon.  The cool thing about being in a motorcycle club is that we usually drive around and look badass with our leather jackets.  However, they’re also a type of group that you don’t want to get on their bad side.  You cramp their style, and they’ll give you several cramps that’ll last for weeks.  The one particular group known as the Outlaws Motorcycle Club is no exception, whose infamous history as an organized crime syndicate reminds us not to spoil their fun.  We're having another slow weekend between the biggest summer blockbusters, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any interesting films to check out.  One of these movies is the latest drama that was initially set to compete in last year’s awards season from Disney through its 20th Century Studios label until the strikes happened.  With Disney backing out of the adult-rated motorcycle culture film, Focus Features stepped in to bring Jeff Nichols’ latest vision to the big screen.  After much anticipation, does the film successfully ride off into the cinematic sunset?  Let’s find out.

The story chronicles the Vandals MC, an outlaw motorcycle club formed in 1960s Chicago.  The club was led by Johnny (Hardy) to unite the people who feel like outsiders to the world around them.  Benny (Butler) is a young man who became a recent member of the Vandals MC.  He eventually meets Kathy (Comer), a strong-willed woman, at a local bar, and they form a relationship.  However, as the country evolves around them, so does the club.  Over a decade, the Vandals MC has transformed from a family of outcasts to an organized crime syndicate that solves their problems with violence.  As the club heads down this dark path, Benny is forced to choose between the love of his life and the gang that treats him like family.

While I haven’t watched much of Nichols’ previous projects, I was nonetheless intrigued by its concept and history.  The film was a fictional depiction of the Outlaws MC founded in McCook, Illinois in 1935.  While it is known for being the third-largest biker club in the world, that didn’t stop them from being branded as criminals by numerous authorities and international intelligence agencies.  I would go more in-depth about this motorcycle club, but there’s one problem that’s holding me back: I don’t have much interest in motorcycle culture.  So you might be wondering why I watched this movie if I don’t care much about motorcycle gangs.  Well, it’s due to the cast involved, especially Austin Butler, who’s been having a successful career outside his earlier roles in teen sitcoms.  When you have a cast this talented, then you have my interest.  But, of course, it takes more than talent to maintain that interest, which is what “The Bikeriders” has done.

“The Bikeriders” is what happens when you make “Goodfellas” with motorcycles.  The movie tells the story through interviews between Kathy and Danny Lyon (Faist). It portrays the Vandals as a tight-knit family who protect their own, but their actions ultimately lead to the downfall of their era. The film also explores Benny's loyalty being tested when his love for Kathy conflicts with his loyalty to the Vandals. It's a classic tragedy highlighting the authenticity and daily struggles of a motorcycle gang living as outsiders.  While it may not be as revolutionary as the other classic crime dramas that inspired it, the film still engages in its characters and old-fashioned approach to its subject matter.  

Before this film, the only movie I saw from Jeff Nichols was “Midnight Special” a few years ago.  I remembered enjoying that one, but it wasn’t enough to convince me to watch the filmmaker’s previous works.  After watching “The Bikeriders”, I believe that may change soon, if not later. Jeff Nichols brought an old-school feel to the timeline and motorcycle culture that drives the movie. The characters evolve throughout the 1960s before their era concludes, mainly when they're hanging out, serving as the driving force of the movie's low-stakes drama. It's handled in a way that's never tedious. Instead, Nichols made these elements deserving of the cast's talents and even added depth to some of the characters, especially Benny and Johnny.  Additionally, when the movie got to the violent parts, Nichols envisioned them in a gritty yet subtle fashion rather than portraying them as adult-rated spectacles.  With plenty of diverting moments courtesy of the Vandals, the movie offers a charming display of a family of outsiders who aren’t afraid of being wild, free, and even violent.

These scenes were enough to forgive its pacing, which sometimes felt sluggish.  The film is nearly two hours long, which is appropriate to ease my concern about its narrative momentum.  The screenplay by Nichols did a good job of capturing the realistic and charismatic traits of a motorcycle gang through its dialogue and storytelling. While it doesn't entirely break new ground in its crime drama tropes on an emotional level, it is a well-written tribute to the bike-riding outsiders, offering a layered portrayal of the culture.  The movie also benefited from Adam Stone’s cinematography, which captures the movie’s traditional style with wide-angle shots and breathtaking scenery.  

But, of course, I can’t forget about the film’s main attraction: the cast.  After impressing me with “Free Guy” and “The Last Duel”, Jodie Comer is back in the spotlight, serving as one of the movie’s main leads.  Unsurprisingly, Comer has once again delivered a captivating performance, establishing Kathy as a compelling perspective of the culture and as an intriguing character overall.  Austin Butler truly shone in his role as Benny, expertly portraying a young motorcyclist who wrestles with his own conflict.  As for Tom Hardy, he nailed Johnny’s accent without making him sound like a parody of the gang leader, resulting in another diverting performance from the actor.  Michael Shannon and Mike Faist also delivered plenty of decent moments regarding their performances as Zipco and Danny Lyon, respectively.

Overall, “The Bikeriders” is a gritty yet charismatic portrayal of motorcycle culture that rides past some of its conventional trappings.  The film's pacing sometimes lost my attention, and the emotional impact may not have resonated as powerfully as intended. However, it never became highly dull to me. Jeff Nichols skillfully infused the film with toughness and charm in his direction and screenplay, resulting in a compelling traditional drama fit for both motorcycle culture fans and moviegoers. Along with the engaging cast and solid cinematography, the film captures the captivating reflection of the bikers' way of life.  If you liked some of Nichols’ earlier works, you might also enjoy this one.

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