The Bikeriders: Film Review
Of course, I was keen to see The Bikeriders – just look at that stacked cast! Jodie Comer, Austin Butler, Tom Hardy, Mike Faist – it’s an embarrassment of riches. With so many of my faves in the mix, I had high expectations for this film and it sadly underwhelmed me.
Based on a photography book by Danny Lyon (played here by Faist), Jeff Nichols‘s crime drama follows the original Chicago chapter of the Vandals motorcycle club over several years in the ’60s and ’70s. The club, led by Johnny (Hardy), gradually transforms from a group of like-minded men to a violent crime organisation.
This film is gritty and authentic and it successfully transports you back in time and immerses you in 1960s biker culture. It is told through interviews Kathy (Comer), the wife of Benny (Butler), gave to Danny over the years. She is the perfect window into this world and a way in for the audience because she’s not a biker but she’s part of the culture. I enjoyed this framing device and hearing Kathy’s insights over the years.
However, I needed more to happen narratively. Sure, there are some plot-driven moments here and there but it wasn’t enough and I didn’t feel gripped by the story or invested in the characters. It’s more of a visually pleasing but rather shallow vibes film.
For all the immersion and realism, the characters didn’t actually have that much depth and I came away feeling like I didn’t really know any of them. There are so many characters – supporting actors include Michael Shannon, Norman Reedus, Karl Glusman and Boyd Holbrook – that they’re all sketches. I didn’t expect to know them all well but I’m surprised Kathy, our kind of narrator, is so thinly written. Who is she outside of Benny?!
A lot has been written about the accents but you do get used to them. Comer’s voice is very particularly unusual and specific but she had Kathy’s real tapes to work with so her voice is actually very accurate. She easily gives the best performance as the genuine, relatable Kathy, but Butler really shows off his magnetic star power.
I wanted to like The Bikeriders more than I actually did. Disappointing.
In cinemas from Friday 21st June