The Bikeriders (2024) Movie Review

The Bikeriders (2024) Movie Review

Over the past decade, writer/director Jeff Nichols has emerged as one of my favourite filmmakers working today. The man has made a name for himself telling complex, character driven stories, with an emphasis on visual storytelling, mixed with fine performances. His filmography speaks for itself with the masterful and incredibly underrated ‘Take Selter’ (2011) starring Michael Shannon, ‘Mud’ (2013) starring Matthew McConaughey (mid-McConasance), ‘Loving’ (2016) starring Ruth Negga and Joel Edgerton in a truly wonderful love story, the underrated, genre-bending, sci-fi flick ‘Midnight Special’ (2016), starring Michael Shannon, Joel Edgerton, Adam Driver Kirsten Dunst, Bill Camp and Jaeden Martell and now after an 8-year hiatus, we get his latest ‘The Bikeriders’ starring Austin butler, Tom Hardy, Jodie Comer, Boyd Holbrook, Michael Shannon (you’re surely seeing a pattern here), Aussie Damon Herriman, Beau Knapp, Norman Reedus and pretty much every other character actor currently working in Hollywood.  

The film proved to be a modest hit at the box office, grossing just shy of $36 million worldwide with it also proving to be a success with critics and moviegoers alike, with ‘The Bikeriders’ certified fresh at 80% on Rotten Tomatoes with an impressive 75% audience score. The film tells the true story, of the Midwestern motorcycle club ‘The Vandals’, based on a book by Vandals member Danny Lyon, chronicling the rise and eventual fall of the group, through the accounts of its patrons. I was really looking forward to this film, being quite disappointed when it was announced in late 2023 the film would be delayed. Thankfully, the delay wasn’t too long and we got the film in June of 2024. I am happy to report, this one as well worth the wait, ranking as one of the best films of the year so far. 

‘The Bikeriders’ really does benefit from its gorgeous direction from Jeff Nichols. In each of his films, Nichols almost makes the camera a character, moving it along with the story, allowing the visuals to do a lot of the talking. His partnership with director of photography Adam Stone, who has worked with on each of his previous films, has matured beautifully, with The Bikeriders being his most visually stunning film to date. The shot composition here is gorgeous, with each sequence feeling alive. The camera tracks the glamour shots of the motorcycles, to the gorgeous backdrop of the American Midwest. Its simply stunning, and for this reason alone you should be checking out the film.

The other strengths here lie in the incredibly talented cast. The films three core performances are spectacular, and if the film was released around October/November, would generate some serious awards buzz. Jodie Comer really acts as the films lead, playing Kathy, who through a chance encounter with Benny (played by Austin Butler), is now wrapped up in the story of The Vandals, re-telling the ins and outs of the group, their relationships and how they came to be. She has to do a lot here, and Kathy as a character goes through a lot. Her journey is hard and turbulent from the moment she enters on-screen. Comer does an excellent job here of bringing Kathy’s humanity to the surface and showcasing her struggled without ever feeling melodramatic. Austin Butler is also great here as Benny. He is very stoic but plays this very well. It’s a mix of cool machismo, mixed with Butler’s trademark vulnerability that has made him one of the best actors working at the moment. Tom Hardy also shines here, in a meatier role than what a lot of the marketing would have you believe. Hardy plays Johnny, the founder of The Vandals. He’s ruthless, but also comes across like a man who would die for his brothers, avoiding conflict if he can. The contrast between his home life and life as a vandal, wasn’t explored too deeply, but we still get enough to latch onto, providing a level of humanity to Johnny that we wouldn’t expect. Special accommodations to the supporting cast with Reedus, Holbrook and Shannon all stealing a scene or two along the way.

Overall, ‘The Bikeriders’ was an absolute blast. The film has enough action and suspense to keep moviegoers entertained, but it’s really the thought that went into the make-up of the film that kept me enthralled. The cinematography, the story, the amazing performances, it all culminates in a memorable film with real heart. It’s a must-watch for film fans and for those wanting a solid true-story flick, that is truly unexpecting, then give it a watch, I promise you won’t be disappointed. Be sure to secure your copy of ‘The Bikeriders’ on DVD, Blu-Ray or 4K Ultra HD from Sanity today, you won’t want to miss it!

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Christopher Pattison wrote this blog post for Sanity. See more from Chris here