This piece was written during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labour of the actors currently on strike, the movie being covered here wouldn't exist.
The outlaw motorcycle subculture became prevalent throughout the 1960's counterculture movement. Numerous gangs, such as the Hell's Angels, started emerging through the latter half of 20th century American history. Inspired by the 1967 photo-book of the same name and set between 1965-1973, The Bikeriders is the story of a fictional gang named the “Vandals”, and is told through three characters: Kathy (Jodie Comer), her motorcyclist husband: Benny (Austin Butler) and leader: Johnny (Tom Hardy). During this period, these connections are gradually tested as the gang becomes more brutal and violent. Kathy strives for a normal protected life, whilst Benny continuously steers his loyalty towards Johnny.
Within this small circle, it's Jodie Comer who dominates. Speaking in a distrinctive 1960's dialect, her character is completely engrossing as she remained concerned with her husbands strengthening loyalty to the Vandals. It's a tour de force performance. Austin Butler proves once again that he's an ascending star no matter the role. His effortlessly confident and subtly luminating aura previously seen in Elvis, further endures in his interpretation of Benny. The consistently outstanding Tom Hardy depicts gang leader Johnny with an unforgettable intensity and underlying dread. it's a role that fits with Hardy's tradition of portraying deviously unhinged figures you wouldn't want to mess with. Even Jeff Nichols' favourite Michael Shannon brings a strong presence in this story of allegiance and vulnerability.
For Nichols, it's a continuation of his examination of the USA's deep south, following Shotgun Stories, Mud and Loving with this fascinating story of a turbulent faction of the American counterculture. Amongst the motorcycle rumbles, countless leather jackets and gang culture, the film's narrative framework gives the audience an outside viewpoint.
Nichols chooses to undergo almost a literal retelling of the Vandals' endeavours by emulating the same style evident in the inspired photo-book by Danny Lyon. Over the course of these events, Kathy is interviewed by Lyon (Mike Faist), the original author, about her experiences and her relation to the group. Blending Kathy's interviews alongside the action, Nichols gives The Bikeriders an honest impression of how exceptional experiences can become either distorted or detailed based on separate recollections.
Despite The Bikeriders succeeding in almost every aspect, at times the narrative hovers at the edge of familiarity. Whilst the execution is admirable, the film fails to add anything groundbreaking, and sometimes adheres to a paint-by-numbers type structure. Perhaps a touch more polish on the story could have accelerated the film's status to a modern masterpiece. Yet The Bikeriders is a powerful illustration of a particular subculture and its inner workings through an engrossing circle of perspectives. Filled with powerful performances, it's a thoroughly compelling effort that will no doubt be an awards contender.
The Bikeriders played at this year's BFI London Film Festival and will be released in UK cinemas on December 1st