Every so often, you’ll catch a glimpse of the last drabs of a once rife sub-culture motoring down the highway in all their black leather-clad glory on the back of their pristinely polished Harley’s. It’ll be the collective murmur of a throng of engines approaching that will be heard before they’re seen, and then, on the horizon, a tidal wave of inked-up bearded men putting ‘pedal to the metal’ appear in your rearview mirror. On initial viewing, this vaguely organized rabble appears threatening, almost a little sinister, yet as they near, that intimidation factor quickly diminishes as the fragrant aroma of petrol wafting through the air is replaced by a fusion of boiling hot leather and body odor.
What was once a sight that evoked a feeling of dread and a convoluted kind of respect out of pure fear is now just an overwhelming sense of pity for these men attempting to live out little more than a childhood fantasy, a gimmicky rip-off of a once thriving, non-conformist subgroup. Jeff Nichols’ semi-biographical drama, The Bikeriders, takes us back to a time when rebellious motorcycle gangs were cool and represented a forgotten underclass. This hazy mid-’60s to ‘70s picture is an ode to the biker gangs of a bygone era.
The Bikeriders Cast
With a film that required as much nuance as this, no stone was left unturned as far as recruiting the right faces was concerned. After announcing his talents to the world in Baz Luhrmann’s epic Elvis biopic, Austin Butler makes his first outing since zipping up his flared pants and tying up the laces on his blue suede shoes. Butler plays one of the movie’s primary protagonists, Benny, a nihilistic loose-canon, who is second in command of the Chicago Vandals, a branch fronted by the icy-coolness of Tom Hardy, who assumes the role of Johnny.
The exceptional Jodie Comer, who has enjoyed a breakout year, having also starred in The End We Start From, narrates the one hour 56 minute-long production, featuring as the headstrong Kathy, Benny’s girlfriend-turned-wife. The Bikeriders boasts a mesmerizing supporting outfit consisting of an array of star-studded names, including the likes of frequent Nichols collaborator Michael Shannon as the laconic Zipco, Norman Reedus as Funny Sonny, Mike Faist as Danny, and Babyteeth’s Toby Wallace as the devilish newcomer on the block, ‘The Kid.’
The Bikeriders Plot
Loosely based on Danny Lyon’s 1967 photo book of the same name, The Bikeriders traverses the troubled lives of the Chicago Vandals biker gang of the ‘60s and ‘70s. Nichols’ picture is documented through the detailed and charismatic lens of Kathy (Comer), the wife of one of the gang’s pre-eminent figures, Benny (Butler). The film follows the gang from its conception in the 1960s to its expansion, growth in notoriety, and accumulation of power under its ruthless yet fiercely loyal founder, Johnny (Hardy). The gangs’ cult-ish existence breeds an unbreakable brotherhood that transcends the motorcyclist world into the reaches of crime, family, love, and loss. The film is as much about building a purpose and adding meaning to one’s life as it is about the inevitable changing of the guard.
Release Date and Why It Has Been Delayed
Originally scheduled for release at the start of December, the theatrical release of The Bikeriders has been indefinitely postponed, a peculiar move considering the film has already had its world premiere at Telluride Film Festival, followed by appearances at the London Film Festival and the like.
If the film wants to be eligible for the upcoming Academy Awards, it must be released before the turn of the year, an obstacle that will further concern Nichols, the movie’s cast, and its production team, as well as distributors, 20th Century Studios. It was announced on 18th October that due to the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strikes, the film’s cinema debut would be delayed, with the strikes majorly impacting the film industry’s release schedule, with the likes of Dune: Part Two and Luca Guadagnino’s Challengers subject to delays for the same reason.
With AMPTP and SAG-AFTRA fighting tooth and nail over labor disputes, there is no sign of a resolution any time soon, and the ramifications of the strike mean many actors have ruled themselves out of press and promotional duties, with those featuring in The Bikeriders included. As such, the eagerly anticipated movie could well be heading for quite the wait for a theatrical birth.
What Can Be Expected From The Bikeriders?
With a star-studded lineup, a scintillating soundtrack, and the tale of one of the most infamous biker groups in midwest America, the crime drama possesses all the ingredients of a captivating screenplay. With a revered name like Jeff Nichols in control of the directorial mast, having penned and directed the likes of Take Shelter, Shotgun Stories, and Midnight Special, we can expect a movie of distinguished taste, silky smooth cinematography, some compelling set-pieces, and a poignant, culturally enriched narrative.
