The Bikeriders 2024 - Movie Review

The Bikeriders (2024): A Beautiful Snapshot of American Rebellion

Rating: 3.7/5 Stars

There's something deeply nostalgic about watching "The Bikeriders," and I don't think it's just the period setting or the vintage motorcycles. Jeff Nichols has crafted a film that feels like discovering a dusty photo album in your grandfather's attic - each frame loaded with stories you wish you could hear in full, characters you want to know better, and a world that feels both foreign and familiar.

Inspired by Danny Lyon's iconic 1967 photo book of the same name, "The Bikeriders" captures a specific moment in American culture when motorcycle clubs were transitioning from weekend warrior gatherings into something darker and more dangerous. It's not a traditional crime drama, despite what the marketing might suggest. Instead, it's more like an anthropological study - a meditation on masculinity, loyalty, and the inevitable corruption of idealistic dreams.

The film currently holds an 80% rating from critics and 75% rating from the audience on Rotten Tomatoes, and honestly, those numbers feel about right. This is solid, thoughtful filmmaking that doesn't quite reach greatness but succeeds admirably at what it's trying to do.

The Story Behind the Photos

The plot, inspired by the photo book of the same title by Danny Lyon, depicts the lives of the Vandals Motorcycle Club, a fictional version of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club. The story unfolds primarily through the eyes of Kathy (Jodie Comer), who recounts her experiences with the Vandals to an unseen interviewer, presumably Lyon himself.

Kathy's husband Benny (Austin Butler) is the club's golden boy - handsome, fearless, and completely devoted to the lifestyle. Tom Hardy plays Johnny, the club's founder and leader, a man who started the Vandals as a way for working-class guys to find brotherhood and excitement on weekends. Michael Shannon appears as Zipco, Johnny's right-hand man and the club's voice of reason.

The narrative spans roughly a decade, from the mid-1960s to the mid-1970s, chronicling how the Vandals evolve from a relatively innocent social club into something more sinister as younger, more violent members join their ranks. It's less about plot mechanics and more about documenting a cultural shift - the death of a certain kind of American innocence.

Jodie Comer Anchors Everything

Jodie Comer is absolutely phenomenal as Kathy, serving as both narrator and emotional center of the film. Her Chicago accent is pitch-perfect, and she brings a tough vulnerability to the role that makes Kathy feel like a real person rather than just a plot device.

Kathy is the outsider looking in, simultaneously attracted to and repelled by the biker lifestyle. She loves Benny but hates what the club represents, and Comer navigates this contradiction beautifully. Her interviews with the photographer give the film its documentary-like structure, and her reactions to the stories she's telling provide crucial emotional context.

The performance feels lived-in and authentic. Comer makes you believe that Kathy really lived through these experiences, that she's looking back on this period of her life with a mixture of fondness and regret. It's the kind of performance that grounds an entire film.

Austin Butler's Star Power

Austin Butler shines with movie star energy in The Bikeriders, captivating us with his performance. Following his career-defining turn as Elvis, Butler proves he's got the charisma to carry a film. As Benny, he embodies the romantic ideal of the American rebel - James Dean with a motorcycle and a leather jacket.

But Butler also captures Benny's limitations. This is a guy who's all instinct and no introspection, someone who lives completely in the moment without thinking about consequences. He's magnetic and frustrating in equal measure, which is exactly what the role requires.

The chemistry between Butler and Comer is essential to the film's success, and they deliver. Their relationship feels authentic - you understand both why Kathy fell for Benny and why she's ultimately exhausted by him. Butler makes Benny sympathetic without excusing his behavior.

Tom Hardy's Complicated Leader

Tom Hardy brings his usual intensity to Johnny, but this is a more subdued performance than we often see from him. Johnny is a complicated figure - he genuinely cares about his club members and tries to maintain some sense of honor and tradition, but he's also naive about the forces he's unleashed.

Hardy is great as usual as the alpha leader of the crew but he doesn't really want a lot or any trouble he just wants this to be a club & have a respect thrown his way. There's something almost tragic about Johnny's character arc. He created the Vandals as an escape from ordinary life, but he can't control what it becomes as it grows beyond his vision.

Hardy plays Johnny as a man caught between two worlds - the blue-collar respectability he comes from and the outlaw culture he's created. The performance works because Hardy makes Johnny's contradictions feel human rather than hypocritical.

The Supporting Ensemble

The supporting cast is packed with character actors who bring depth to even small roles. Michael Shannon is typically excellent as Zipco, providing the club's institutional memory and serving as a bridge between the old guard and the new generation.

Norman Reedus, Boyd Holbrook, Mike Faist, and others fill out the Vandals' roster, each bringing distinct personalities to their roles. Nichols is smart enough to let these actors create fully realized characters rather than just generic bikers.

The film benefits from this attention to character detail. Even club members who only appear in a few scenes feel like real people with their own stories and motivations. It helps create the authentic community atmosphere that's essential to the film's success.

Visual Poetry and Atmosphere

The film's beautiful cinematography, inspired by photography, adds depth and visual appeal to the story. Cinematographer Adam Stone creates images that feel both cinematic and documentary-like, perfectly capturing the aesthetic of Lyon's original photographs.

The attention to period detail is exceptional. The motorcycles, clothing, and locations all feel authentic to the era without calling attention to themselves. The film looks lived-in rather than costume-y, which helps maintain the realistic tone Nichols is going for.

The sound design deserves special mention. The roar of motorcycle engines, the clatter of bottles in bars, the ambient noise of club gatherings - it all contributes to the immersive atmosphere. You can almost smell the cigarette smoke and motor oil.

A Different Kind of Crime Story

One of the film's strengths is its refusal to follow traditional crime drama conventions. This isn't "Goodfellas" or "The Departed." There are no elaborate heists, no dramatic confrontations with law enforcement, no clear villains to root against.

Instead, "The Bikeriders" is more interested in documenting a way of life and how it changes over time. The "crime" elements emerge gradually and almost organically, reflecting how the real Outlaws Motorcycle Club evolved from a social organization into something more dangerous.

This approach might frustrate viewers expecting more traditional thrills, but it serves the film's anthropological goals perfectly. Nichols is less interested in judging these characters than in understanding them and the culture they represent.

The Weight of Change

The film's central theme is how institutions and communities change over time, often in ways their founders never intended. Johnny starts the Vandals with noble intentions - creating brotherhood and excitement for working-class men who feel trapped by conventional life.

But as the club grows and attracts younger, more violent members, it gradually transforms into something Johnny no longer recognizes or controls. It's a microcosm of broader changes happening in American society during this period - the loss of innocence, the rise of more aggressive forms of rebellion.

As The Bikeriders progresses, it becomes burdened with story, losing some of its initial observational power. The film works best in its quieter moments, when it's simply documenting the daily rhythms of club life. When it tries to impose more traditional narrative structure, it becomes less interesting.

Cultural Context and Authenticity

Considered one of the best dramas of 2024, The Bikeriders is heavily inspired by the 1967 photo book that Nichols had first read back in the early 2000s. The director's long fascination with Lyon's work shows in the film's respectful treatment of its source material.

The Vandals motorcycle club in the film is inspired by the real-life Outlaws Motorcycle Club, and Nichols doesn't sensationalize or romanticize the lifestyle. He presents it honestly, showing both its appeal and its limitations.

The film captures a specific moment in American culture when traditional forms of masculinity and community were being challenged and redefined. The biker clubs represented both rebellion against conformity and a search for authentic male fellowship in an increasingly impersonal society.

Technical Excellence

The production design is meticulous without being showy. Every detail - from the bar interiors to the motorcycle modifications - feels researched and authentic. The costume design perfectly captures the evolution from clean-cut weekend warriors to scruffy outlaws.

The editing maintains a patient, observational pace that matches the documentary-style framing device. Rather than rushing toward plot points, the film takes time to let scenes breathe and characters reveal themselves naturally.

David Wingo's score is subtle and effective, supporting the mood without overwhelming the naturalistic performances. Like everything else in the film, it serves the story rather than calling attention to itself.

What Works and What Doesn't

The film succeeds brilliantly at creating atmosphere and character. The world of the Vandals feels completely authentic, and the relationships between characters are believable and complex. Jodie Comer's performance provides the perfect entry point into this masculine world.

But without someone like Butler to hold our attention, the film becomes too underwhelming, too unfocused to engender any mourning for the time it hopes to recreate. The film occasionally feels more like an academic exercise than emotional storytelling.

The pacing can be challenging for viewers expecting more traditional narrative momentum. This is a film that prioritizes observation over action, character study over plot mechanics. That approach serves the material well, but it may not satisfy all audiences.

Final Thoughts

"The Bikeriders" is a thoughtful, beautifully crafted film that succeeds at capturing a specific time and place in American culture. Jeff Nichols has created something that feels both nostalgic and clear-eyed, romanticizing neither the biker lifestyle nor the conventional world it rebelled against.

The performances are uniformly excellent, with Jodie Comer delivering career-best work as the film's emotional anchor. Austin Butler continues to prove his star power, while Tom Hardy brings depth and nuance to what could have been a stereotypical role.

This isn't a film for everyone. It requires patience and an appreciation for character-driven storytelling over plot-driven thrills. But for viewers willing to meet it on its own terms, "The Bikeriders" offers a rich, rewarding experience that lingers long after the credits roll.

It's the kind of film that makes you want to seek out Danny Lyon's original photo book, to learn more about the real people who inspired these characters. In an age of franchise filmmaking and CGI spectacle, there's something refreshing about a movie that's content to simply observe human behavior with intelligence and empathy.

Bottom Line: A beautifully crafted period piece that captures a specific moment in American culture with authenticity and respect, anchored by outstanding performances and meticulous attention to detail.

Perfect For: Fans of character-driven dramas, viewers interested in American subcultures, anyone who appreciates thoughtful period filmmaking, and those who enjoyed films like "Hell or High Water" or "Mud."

Skip If: You're looking for fast-paced action, prefer plot-heavy narratives, or need clear heroes and villains to stay engaged.

Best Viewing Experience: This deserves to be seen on the big screen to fully appreciate the cinematography and production design, though it works well enough for streaming when you can give it your full attention.