Time: 116 Minutes
Age Rating: R13– Violence, offensive language, drug use & sexual material
Cast:
Jodie Comer as Kathy Cross
Austin Butler as Benny Cross
Tom Hardy as Johnny Davis
Michael Shannon as Zipco
Mike Faist as Danny Lyon
Boyd Holbrook as Cal
Norman Reedus as Funny Sonny
Director: Jeff Nichols

I was interested in The Bikeriders. It is the next film from Jeff Nichols, who previously made Midnight Special and would also star Austin Butler, Tom Hardy and Jodie Comer. Overall, I thought it was pretty good.

For a movie about a motorcycle gang, it is quite reserved and contemplative. Plotwise, it is more slice of life and mostly just vibes with not much of a driving force to it. I wasn’t the most invested in this slow burn drama, but I still liked watching it. It is based on a true story, based on a photographic book about a motorcycle gang. The movie is really locked into this time period, feeling authentic and lived in. The narrative approach is that Mike Faist’s character (based on a real life person) is interviewing people, mainly Jodie Comer, and through this we are told the main story. This is done to really emphasize how this story of the biker gang was from a bygone era. I understand part of the reason why they did it is this, but I think it might’ve been better without this interviewer framing device. I felt a bit distant from the story and characters, and some of the moments didn’t really land like they should’ve.

This movie has a really good cast with the likes of Michael Shannon, Mike Faist, Boyd Holbrook and Norman Reedus. However, it’s the three main actors who effectively carry the movie, with Austin Butler, Jodie Comer and Tom Hardy delivering great performances and selling their parts.

The direction from Jeff Nichols is solid. The cinematography is good, sometimes even gorgeous at points, as are the editing and music. I also liked how grounded everything felt.

The Bikeriders is a solid, meditative and well directed crime drama that’s carried by the great performances, especially from Austin Butler, Jodie Comer and Tom Hardy.