Starring Tom Hardy, Austin Butler and Jodie Comer, The Bikeriders charts the history of a midwestern motorcycle club over the course of a decade, as it transitions from a friendly group of likeminded enthusiasts into a violent criminal enterprise.
Written and directed by Jeff Nichols, the film is based on Danny Lyon’s 1968 book which explores, first hand, the stories and photographs of Chicago MC The Outlaws between 1963 and 1967. At the time Lyon’s was himself a member of the club and sought to document the everyday life of the American Biker.
The story is told through the eyes of Comer’s Cathy as she reminisces to Danny (Mike Faist) about her time with the club all those years ago. It’s an effective way to introduce the films many characters with Nichols using Cathy as the films narrator and chronicling events via flashback.
After initially feeling uncomfortable around the Vandals (The name of the MC, changed for the purposes of the film) Cathy is captivated by Austin Butlers Benny and the pair begin a tumultuous relationship. The couple’s chemistry is one of the many reasons the film works so well.
Butler channels James Dean as the smouldering bad boy, while Comer again proves she is one of the best actors currently working with another stand out performance.
The addition of Tom Hardy adds weight to the already starry cast, and the Brit delivers a committed turn as Johnny, the club’s founder and chief, channelling Marlon Brando from 1953’s ‘Wild Things’ in both appearance and attitude.
His love for Benny and his plans to pass the torch to the younger man, cause friction with Cathy as the pair vie for his affections, leaving the brooding Benny to contemplate his loyalty to his girlfriend and his passion for the MC.
The rest of the ensemble is also superbly cast, with Faist, Michael Shannon, Boyd Holbrook and Norman Reedus all portraying members of the club to great effect, while Toby Wallace is an ominous presence on the periphery as a rejected kid with a grudge.
The pictures in Lyon’s original book were black and white, but Nichols uses a muted colour pallet well to get the look and gritty feel of the era just right.
Fans expecting twists, turns and plenty of action akin to popular MC show Sons of Anarchy, may have to temper their expectations slightly, as the Bikeriders isn’t hugely plot driven and requires a bit of patience. But viewers willing to immerse themselves in the world Nichols has created, will be rewarded by a wonderfully soulful character drama with terrific performances from its cast and one of the years best films.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Paul Steward
28/07/24
X @grittster