“The Bikeriders” Movie Review

Fat Guys at the Movies

Rated R
Opens: June 21, 2024
Kevin says The Bikeriders kinda rocks!

Writer/director Jeff Nichols takes a road trip into the past with his new film THE BIKERIDERS.

The story follows a journalist profiling a Chicago motorcycle club in the late 60 and early 70s. Seen through the eyes of one of the wives, the story focuses on the leader played by Tom Hardy and one of the members played by Austin Butler.

Rather than being a version of SONS OF ANARCHY, this film take a more historic approach. The subject matter and the filmmaking styles evoke a sense of the drive-in biker movies from this era.

There are strong performances all around, but the story is limited by its flawed subject matter. Tom Hardy’s character is the most nuanced and interesting. Austin Butler does little more than smolder at the camera and look cool.

Even Jodie Comer struggles as the unreliable narrator. For as much agency she is given in the film, her role exists solely to support the male leads.

It’s an interesting movie, but much more of a historical character study than a modern outlaw western.

THE BIKERIDERS get three carburetors out of five. I’m Kevin Carr, and that’s the way I see it.

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