A Reel Review: THE BIKERIDERS

Director Jeff Nichols has a string of critically acclaimed films that wind up on Top 10 lists every year; SHOTGUN STORIES (2007), TAKE SHELTER (2011), MUD (2012), MIDNIGHT SPECIAL (2016), and the Oscar-nominated LOVING (2016). Here in 2024, Nichols gets back in the saddle and hits the road with THE BIKERIDERS. 

 

In 1950’s Chicago, Johnny (Tom Hardy), starts a motorcycle club (MC), called the Vandals. With his good friend Benny (Austin Butler) at his side, the club goes through many changes over the years as it expands across the country.

 

Directed by Jeff Nichols, THE BIKERIDERS does not have much by way of plot. Based on the 1967 photo-book of the same name by Danny Lyon (who rode with, interviewed, and photographed the real club for years), the film traces the club’s evolution (and de-evolution), as they go from a 1950’s greaser fun-times MC to a representation of the late 1960’s American counter-culture; outlaws and screw-the-man rebels. While the film stays local and doesn’t leave the greater Chicago area, the growing membership means as goes the Chicago vandals, as goes the rest of the biker community. 

 

The film is set within the framework of Danny Lyon’s interviews and photographs. The story is told through the eyes of Kathy (Jodie Comer), who marries Benny. This really works as it takes an outsider to explain the MC, as not even the long-time members can explain why they are so drawn to the lifestyle. This also offers an intimate look at the men (and women), who swear loyalty to the MC and each other. What’s missing in plot is more than made up for in character. 

 

Nichols uses Lyon’s photo-book as a heavy reference, re-creating the photographs in moving pictures…and every single frame in THE BIKERIDERS is gorgeous (some side-by-sides are shown in the credits…the recreation is stunning). And the cinematography doesn’t look like 2024, it looks like 1950 in a beautiful way. The outstanding soundtrack, a collection of blues and rock n’ roll from the time period, helps us mark the passage of time. 

 

Acting is tremendous. Tom Hardy and Austin Butler command the screen in looks and performance. The show is stolen by Jodie Comer who magnificently rises above the testosterone. The rest of the ensemble cast is also excellent: Michael Shannon, Mike Faist, Boyd Holbrook, Emory Cohen, and Norman Reedus. 

 

THE BIKERIDERS ultimately comes down to balance. It is light on story but heavy on character, and small in scale on paper but huge in the long run…and it all runs like a well-oiled and cared for twin engine. The story here is ultimately a tragedy, as it captures the downfall of the American MC, and that reflects heavily on the boys on the bikes. Jeff Nichols has given us an important, overlooked slice of U.S. history here, one that should be studied and learned from. This is a ride that needs to be taken. 

 

BOTTOM LINE: See it