The Bikeriders

 

The Bikeriders (2023)

A Meandering Descent from Social Club to Crime Syndicate

★★½☆☆

A visually polished but narratively thin disappointment that struggles to move beyond looking cool.

Directed by Jeff Nichols, The Bikeriders is a meandering story that tracks the dissolution of a budding social club into a legitimate crime gang. Narrated by Jodie Comer, the film features high-caliber performers like Tom Hardy and Austin Butler, but ultimately suffers from a plot that goes nowhere slowly. While the aesthetic is undeniable, the script leaves the talented cast with little to do besides look brooding on motorcycles, resulting in a film that feels more like a collection of poses than a cohesive drama.

"Considering the talent involved I'd say the film is a massive disappointment... Everything looks great, but the performers don't really have much to do except look cool and ride motorcycles."

— Ray Manukay

🎬 Cast & Crew

• Director/Writer: Jeff Nichols
• Starring: Jodie Comer, Austin Butler, Tom Hardy
• Supporting: Michael Shannon, Boyd Holbrook, Norman Reedus
• Source Material: Danny Lyon (Photobook)

The Vision

Jeff Nichols, usually a master of intimate Southern Gothic storytelling, attempts to translate Danny Lyon's iconic 1967 photobook into a feature film. However, the source material’s lack of a traditional narrative arc haunts the production. The film relies heavily on Jodie Comer’s narration to bridge the gaps, but her divisive dialect choices often rob the scenes of their intended gravitas. Compared to genre staples like Sons of Anarchy, the film fails to offer anything groundbreaking or unique enough to justify the revisit to this subculture.

🎬 Cinephile Fun Facts

• The Real Kathy: Jodie Comer spent hours listening to the original tapes of Kathy (the person she portrays) recorded by Danny Lyon to replicate her specific Chicago accent.
• Period Authenticity: The motorcycles used in the film were largely period-correct Harleys and Indians, and the actors underwent extensive training to handle the vintage bikes without modern safety features.
• Long Wait: Jeff Nichols first encountered Danny Lyon’s book in 2003 and spent nearly 20 years ruminating on how to adapt the still images into a moving story.

✅ Pros

• Stunning cinematography and authentic 1960s production design.
• Charismatic presence from the lead trio of Hardy, Butler, and Comer.
• Evocative atmosphere that captures the "cool" of biker culture.

❌ Cons

• Meandering, slow-paced plot that lacks a strong narrative drive.
• Divisive dialect choices that can make characters feel like caricatures.
• Fails to bring a unique perspective compared to existing biker dramas.

🏆 Final Verdict

An unfortunate case of style over substance. Despite the considerable skill of Jeff Nichols and his A-list cast, The Bikeriders is an atmospheric misfire that never quite manages to kick-start its engine.

View original review on Letterboxd