STORYLINE: THE BIKERIDERS captures a rebellious time in America when the culture and people were changing. After a chance encounter at a local bar, strong-willed Kathy (Jodie Comer) is inextricably drawn to Benny (Austin Butler), the newest member of Midwestern motorcycle club, the Vandals led by the enigmatic Johnny (Tom Hardy). Much like the country around it, the club begins to evolve, transforming from a gathering place for local outsiders into a dangerous underworld of violence, forcing Benny to choose between Kathy and his loyalty to the club. (IMDb)

     So far in 2024 there have been a variety of films that have excited and intrigued me.  Early on there was Ethan Coen’s Drive-Away Dolls.  This was followed by the thriller Love Lies Bleeding.  Along the way there has been the horror film Immaculate, the strand I Saw the TV Glow, the sports drama Challengers, and now the Austin Butler/Tom Hardy period piece The Bikeriders. 

   I was disappointed when the film was pushed back from its original 2023 release date due to last years strikes but this weekend my wait paid off.  The film was anchored by three strong performances, Jodie Comer (The Last Duel) and Academy Award nominees Auston Butler and Tom Hardy.  The top of the strong triangle is Tom Hardy.  The combination of an overly tough guy combined with a passionate character is what Tom Hardy created with this performance. 

    The film captured the period of the 1960’s from a perspective I rarely find in cinema. Typically I find the perspective the military effort in Vietnam, the protest movement against the war, or the political era such as watergate. Films such Easy Rider and The Bikeridrrs seem to be far and few between.

     Director Jeff Nichols does not have a lot of movies on his filmography but he has a variety. From Mud (side note I love the confidence of a guy who titles who named his film Mud) to Loving with the sci-fi film Midnight Special in between he has mastered them all. The Bimeriders is no different. 

    Until next time o will see you at the movies!