It’s been quite a while since a motorcycle movie truly captured mainstream attention. If you’re racking your brain, the last one that probably comes to mind is Torque back in 2004, and that was more action spectacle than biker culture deep dive. So, when buzz started building around The Bikeriders, based on the iconic book, my interest was definitely piqued. Especially since Danny Lyon’s seminal book, The Bikeriders, has been sitting on my bookshelf, practically begging for a cinematic adaptation.
Lyon’s book, a raw and authentic portrayal of the Chicago Outlaws motorcycle club in the 1960s, first hit shelves in 1968. Through his lens as a photographer embedded within the club, Lyon captured the gritty reality of these one-percenters. He didn’t just take pictures; he lived the life, and the book is a powerful mix of striking photographs and intimate interviews with the riders and their families. Unlike Hunter S. Thompson’s gonzo Hell’s Angels, Lyon’s work was less about sensationalism and more about observational realism. Filmmaker Jeff Nichols recognized the cinematic potential in this book years ago. He’s taken Lyon’s foundation and built a narrative around it, drawing inspiration from the book’s interviews, photos, and the broader tapestry of biker history. While he’s fictionalized the club as the Vandals, the spirit and essence of The Bikeriders book permeates every frame of The Bike Riders movie.
Danny Lyon's photos from 'The Bikeriders' book compared to the movie.
The journey of The Bikeriders movie to the big screen has been anything but straightforward. After premiering in 2023, the film faced distribution hurdles when 20th Century Studios (Disney) dropped it. Thankfully, Focus Features stepped in to handle domestic distribution in 2024, with Universal taking care of international audiences. This winding road to release begs the question: is The Bike Riders movie worth making a trip to the theater?
The answer, in my opinion, hinges on your expectations.
If you’re going in expecting a high-octane, sex and violence-fueled “bikesploitation” extravaganza, you might be surprised. Yes, there are moments of rough-and-tumble brawling, and the film doesn’t shy away from the darker aspects of the biker lifestyle. However, it’s not presented with gratuitous, Tarantino-esque shock value. Forget about over-the-top drug deals or cartoonish criminality reminiscent of Sons of Anarchy. The Bike Riders movie steers clear of glorifying the outlaw image in that sensational way. Instead, it offers a more nuanced portrayal, much like the old one-percenter autobiographies that often gloss over the criminal elements until legal repercussions fade into the past. But equally, it avoids romanticizing these bikers into folk heroes like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. The film aims for a more grounded depiction of who these individuals were. At their best, they are rebellious, chain-smoking, hard-drinking individuals pushing against societal norms. At their worst, the darker elements within the club are genuinely menacing and capable of violence.
This isn’t an arthouse film in the strictest sense, but it’s certainly not your typical Hollywood blockbuster either. What I found particularly compelling was the narrative approach, skillfully weaving in the original book’s interviews to drive the story forward. The acting is a standout feature. Jodie Comer delivers a remarkable performance as Kathy, a midwestern woman drawn into the biker world, portraying her with a refreshing lack of glamour and a strong sense of realism. Tom Hardy, with his imposing physique, understated dialogue, and period-appropriate wardrobe, embodies the complex character of Johnny, the Vandals’ leader, hinting at a man both powerful and ultimately struggling with the changing tide of his own creation. Austin Butler takes on the role of Benny, and while his performance is solid, there’s a noticeable self-awareness to his portrayal. He seems to be consciously channeling the iconic greaser rebel archetype, which, while perhaps intentional, occasionally feels a bit too on the nose. It’s a recognizable character type in biker films, but whether it fully lands in The Bike Riders movie is debatable.
Tom Hardy embodying the biker gang leader in 'The Bikeriders' movie.
Certain stylistic choices felt slightly off-key. The soundtrack, while clearly aiming for a Scorsese-esque vibe, doesn’t quite hit the mark and at times feels somewhat generic. Similarly, the motorcycles themselves, while period-appropriate, lack the wildly customized, far-out chopper aesthetic that defined the one-percenter scene in the 1960s. However, it’s evident that Nichols meticulously focused on smaller, authentic details, particularly in depicting the club’s evolution towards the film’s conclusion. Because at its core, The Bike Riders movie is about change and the passage of time. Much like Easy Rider explored the fading American Dream, The Bike Riders movie delves into the transformation of biker culture and, in a broader sense, societal shifts.
There’s an interesting parallel to Easy Rider. In that quintessential counter-culture film, Wyatt laments the loss of individualism and freedom sweeping across America in the late 60s. Yet, ironically, it’s the influx of long-haired, hippie-influenced individuals, similar to Wyatt’s own ilk, who contribute to the Vandals’ transformation in The Bike Riders movie. They ultimately usurp control from the original, short-haired, beer-drinking greaser founders.
So, circling back to the initial question: should you watch The Bike Riders movie? If you’re seeking a biker gang film that transcends crime glorification and explores deeper themes, then yes, absolutely. In reality, The Bike Riders movie leans more towards a romantic drama, albeit one that’s far from conventionally romantic. It’s a story set within the backdrop of a motorcycle club grappling with internal changes, mirroring a perceived decline in broader cultural values as the original camaraderie morphs into something darker. Perhaps “hopeful tragedy” best describes it. And in the current cinematic landscape, it’s arguably one of the most compelling films playing in theaters, even if that’s setting a rather modest benchmark.
Personally, I anticipate revisiting The Bike Riders movie. The scenes of the Vandals riding through the golden cornfields of the Midwest in autumn are visually stunning. Living in Canada, those scenes evoked a sense of longing for the fall riding season on familiar rural roads. For the first time in a mainstream Hollywood film, the motorcycle world extends beyond the stereotypical California setting, and for that alone, The Bike Riders movie earns a rewatch.
If you’re interested in experiencing The Bike Riders movie on the big screen, check your local theater listings. It’s currently exclusively in cinemas and offers a worthwhile cinematic experience. For a traditional film critic’s perspective, a quick online search will provide plenty of professional reviews. I’m just a fellow motorcycle enthusiast sharing my thoughts.
