After being delayed from the SAG-AFTRA strike, Director Jeff Nichols‘ long awaited period crime drama finally graced the big screen on June 21, 2024. “The Bikeriders” follows the chronology of a Chicago biker gang, The Vandals, as they transition from a welcoming club of outsiders searching for purpose, slowly descending into a gang perverted by power and fear. From its star-studded cast to exceptional grit in its tone, “The Bikeriders” serves as an overlooked film during a year of blockbusters from “Deadpool & Wolverine,” “Alien: Romulus” and “Twisters.” Some of the best films of the year prioritized flamboyance and style, but Nichols’ offered a different choice in delivering immaculate storytelling that audiences could come to appreciate with his most recent film. Though not a box office hit, “The Bikeriders” is one of 2024’s best films that did not receive the recognition it deserved despite the excellent craftsmanship in its production.
The story is a semi-biographical tale inspired by Danny Lyon’s book of the same name, documenting some of the real-life events that occurred with the club the film is based on and includes the personalities of the figures it follows. However, it was fictionalized due to Nichols stating that he did not want to recount the gang’s historical events since they are currently still operational to this day but operate by the name of the Outlaws. It handles the narration in an orderly fashion and is an excellent exploration of biker culture due to its realism and dialogue. It is not a large, extravagant, Hollywoodized examination of life within motorcycle clubs. Rather it’s a smart and more mature look into the feeling that comes with joining a motorcycle club other than wearing the slick leather, fancy denim and large insignia well known with biker clubs. Adam Stone’s cinematography replicates the material it is based off perfectly and resembles the photography of Danny Lyon in an identical manner, recreating Lyon’s shots to fit the film’s narrative.
Austin Butler delivers an exceptional performance based on his smoldering gaze and invoking his emotions through his facial expressions, portraying a troubled and hot-headed but quiet natured rebel seeking tranquility through riding his bike over being an active member of the Vandals M.C. Jodie Comer is portrayed in the audience’s point of view as our protagonist and really engages the audience through how an outsider may view this lifestyle. Tom Hardy steals the show in almost every scene he is in by really embracing a role different from his previous. Heavily influenced by Brando’s “The Wild One,” Hardy offers a father-figure-esque performance while also examining his psychology relating to the eventual downfall into the club’s change from welcoming outsider community to outlaw biker gang. The cast nails the Midwestern dialects of the time and stays true to the appearances within the decade, bringing authenticity. Though it consists of other notable stars such as Norman Reedus, Michael Shannon, and Boyd Holdbrook. The chemistry between Butler, Hardy and Comer is the heart of this entire film.
It evaluates machismo and discusses how the club’s masculinity drove the people that had association with the lifestyle, for better and for worse, being depicted within as a recurring theme. Throughout, it emphasizes and deconstructs the glorification of being gang-affiliated normally seen within these films. As new chapters begin to form and tragedy ensues with the main members, the Vandals slowly stray away from their original intentions and become a more violent and aggressive group of outlaws that end up in sorrowful and shocking moments. It is a slow burn that has incredible direction from Jeff Nichols but, towards the end, the pacing becomes a bit slower than expected, and it chooses not to examine the legacy that would become the future of the characters of the club’s future state, which can be considered a little disappointing considering how well this film turned out.
It may be a smaller and more contained film, but it is one of the best releases of this year. For those who love motorcycles, enjoy music that transitions between the ‘60s and ‘70s, and are fascinated by period settings, this film will offer a wonderful time to sit through. “The Bikeriders” is an insightful analysis on the culture of motorcycle clubs with its terrific writing and direction from Jeff Nichols, strong and charismatic cast, and gripping themes relating to the engaging brotherhood throughout.
