Film Review: The Bikeriders

Starring: Jodie Comer, Austin Butler, Tom Hardy

Director: Jeff Nichols

Released: 2024

Genre: Crime, Drama

Box Office: $32.5 Million

Based off of the book with the same name, by Danny Lyon. The films follows a motorcycle group from Chicago in the 1960’s called the Vandals. Lyon travelled with the group for a while documenting their lives, the film also shows how the group develops into more of a gang becoming involved with violence and drugs.

Our main narrator is Kathy, a wife to one of the most loyal group members – Benny (played by Austin Butler). She is narrator of the film, introducing us to the group, giving back stories and a very unique POV. Comer plays Kathy brilliantly that you can’t help but love her.

Now this film again does have quite a bit of violent and some tough to watch scenes but I feel it is needed to make it authentic and really pay homage to the original book. They have a smattering of brilliant characters including Benny, Johnny, Zipco, Cal, Bruce, Wahoo, Cookie and Cockroach just to name a few. They are a loveable bunch which makes it even more upsetting when the group takes a turn for the worst.

The soundtrack in this film is also fabulous! They don’t just play the same overused 60’s tunes but songs that fit the scene and are slightly different whilst still keeping the 1960s vibe.

I definitely haven’t done this film justice, but would 1000% recommend it (if not just for Austin Butler in a leather jacket on a motorbike).