The Bikeriders (2023)
Written and Directed by Jeff Nichols
Starring Jodie Comer, Austin Butler, Tom Hardy, and Michael Shannon
Running time 1 hour and 56 minutes
MPAA Rating R for some drug use, language throughout, brief sexuality, and violence
In theaters June 21

by Rosalie Kicks, Old Sport & Editor in Chief

“Fists or knives?”

I do not like motorcycles. They are obnoxiously loud death traps that often cut me off on the highway. So, why did I see The Bikeriders? Well, with this stacked cast, there was no way I was going to let this picture pass me by.

Set in the 1960s Chicago, The Bikeriders is a disjointed tale about the fictional Vandals Motorcycle Club. The story’s source material is compliments of photojournalist Danny Lyon, who spent four years traveling with a gang to document their escapades and lifestyle. He eventually published a book in 1967 entitled “The Bikeriders” which features photos and interviews of the troupe. Before I get too ahead myself, it should be noted that despite the movie stating it is a “based on a true story”, it is safe to assume this is an extremely loose adaptation of the truth. For one, the bike club the tale references was actually called the Outlaws Motorcycle Club. The film also seems to give a sanitized view of the group itself, as it neglects to depict the misogynistic viewpoints, racial bias, and homophobic tendencies that seemed to be a large part of its culture. Instead it gives a surface level look.

Jeff Nichols structures the story much like a documentary by having one of the gang members’ wife, Kathy (Jodie Comer) share the tale through interviews conducted by photojourno, Danny (Mike Faist). This style choice causes The Bikeriders to be dialogue heavy with quite a bit of explanation over action. However, with a stellar a-list trio of Jodie Comer, Austin Butler, and Tom Hardy, they more than managed to hold my interest. Jodie Comer does much of the heavy-lifting and proves she is a force like no other. Although, from the stars to the minor roles-which includes Michael Shannon, Karl Glusman, and Norman Reedus-the ensemble cast present in The Bikeriders can do no wrong, which makes the script that much more unfortunate.

While watching I could not help but feel that there were several story lines competing for my attention. There is the rocky marriage/relationship between Kathy and Benny (Austin Butler), the deep friendship of Benny and Johnny (Tom Hardy), the dynamics of the crew as a whole, and the documentarian’s account. Given that the film is entitled The Bikeriders, I was expecting to be given an inside look into this culture, the history of how the group came to be, and the values they stood for. Due to the lack of focus on any particular plot line, I left the cinema with about as much knowledge of motorcycle gangs as I did prior to watching. That is to say they are people (specifically those identifying as men) who have sought camaraderie via riding choppers, drinking beer, donning jackets (preferably leather) that have been outfitted with patches (aka colors) and have zero regard for the law.

With most of the details given about The Vandals being narrated by Kathy through her interviews with Danny, it is somewhat humorous that it is never really stated why the photojournalist decided to pursue this particular subject matter. In fact, little is told about him or why the crew even allowed his presence, as they seemed to be rather stand-offish to outsiders. Additionally, we are not privy to what the organization’s practices are nor how anyone even becomes initiated into the group. A logical guess would be that you have to own a bike, identify as male and be white. The requirement of race was not blatantly stated, but more implied given that there was not one person of color within the gaggle of cycle enthusiasts except for one of the guys’ wife.

There is a snippet from Kathy in which she mentions the hilarity of a bunch of dudes who do not like rules banding together to form a club in which they have endless rules to follow. These practices are never shared. The one guideline I do recall is that if a member seeks to challenge the president of the club, they will have to select either: fists or knives. This question is confidently posed by Johnny to those that dare to confront his authority and of course is ingeniously delivered by Tom Hardy. In the end, it is clear that as time went on, The Vandals grew as did their problems. Their reputation was negative although, this was another instance in which this was more said than shown. There was a scene at a funeral of one of their members in which the family shunned the gang’s presence. The reason for this is never certain and more left to assumption.

As much as I love the cinematic experience, this is not a picture that I would be racing down the highway to see. Instead The Bikeriders would best be viewed from the comfort of your home to avoid theatrical costs and improve access to pizza delivery.