The Bikeriders is a 2023 American drama film written and directed by Jeff Nichols. It tells a fictional story inspired by the 1967 photo-book of the same name by Danny Lyon depicting the lives of the Outlaws MC, a Chicago-based motorcycle gang. The film features an ensemble cast that includes Jodie Comer, Austin Butler, Michael Shannon, Mike Faist, Norman Reedus, and Tom Hardy.
The Bikeriders premiered at the 50th Telluride Film Festival on August 31, 2023. Originally scheduled to be released theatrically in the United States on December 1, 2023, by 20th Century Studios, the release was delayed due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. Ultimately, Focus Features acquired the film from producer New Regency, scheduling it for its current release date of June 21, 2024. Premise
Set in the 1960s, it follows the rise of the Vandals MC, a fictional Chicago motorcycle club. Seen through the lives of its members, the club evolves over the course of a decade from a gathering place for local outsiders into a more sinister gang, threatening the original group's unique way of life.[3] Cast
Jodie Comer as Kathy Austin Butler as Benny Tom Hardy as Johnny Michael Shannon as Zipco Mike Faist as Danny Lyon Norman Reedus as Funny Sonny Boyd Holbrook as Cal Damon Herriman as Brucie Beau Knapp as Wahoo Emory Cohen as Cockroach Karl Glusman as Corky Toby Wallace as The Kid Happy Anderson as Big Jack
Production Development
In October 2018, Jeff Nichols revealed he had been thinking about making a biker film set in the 1960s for five years, although he did not at that stage have a script, and mentioned the idea on the set of his short film Long Way Back Home to Michael Shannon, who reportedly told him "You've been talking about that damn idea for so long. You're never gonna make that [film]".[4][5] Nichols wrote the screenplay from his original story idea and began forming the project in 2022. New Regency agreed to produce the film in May 2022. The film is titled after the 1967 Danny Lyon photography book.[6]
It was announced in August 2022 that Nichols would also direct the film, with Jodie Comer, Austin Butler, and Tom Hardy being cast.[3] Michael Shannon, Boyd Holbrook, and Damon Herriman were added to the cast later in the month.[7] That September, Toby Wallace, Emory Cohen, Beau Knapp, Karl Glusman, and Happy Anderson joined the ensemble cast.[8] Norman Reedus and Mike Faist were added to the cast the following month.[9][10] Filming
Principal photography began in Cincinnati, Ohio in October 2022 and concluded that December.[11][12] Release
The Bikeriders premiered as the opening film of the 50th Telluride Film Festival on August 31, 2023.[13][2] It was originally scheduled to be theatrically released on December 1, 2023, by 20th Century Studios, but it was taken off the release schedule due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, which prevented the cast from promoting the film.[14][15] Following this, on November 20 that year, it was reported New Regency was shopping the film to rival studios and streamers for release instead and only two days later Focus Features acquired global distribution rights to the film, with its parent Universal Pictures distributing internationally.[16][17] On December 8, it was announced that Focus had scheduled the film for a theatrical release in the United States on June 21, 2024.[18] Reception
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 86% of 35 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.7/10. The website's consensus reads: "Fueled by a charismatic cast and the gritty authenticity of writer-director Jeff Nichols' approach, The Bikeriders offers a conventional yet impactful look at motorcycle culture."[19] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 71 out of 100, based on 15 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[20]
It’s gonna be a big hit, anything with Tom Hardy in it is gonna be a good movie. It’s gonna help Harley-Davidson’s sales somewhat too, at least for a bit.
"...if the gentlemen of Virginia shall send us a dozen of their sons, we would take great care in their education, instruct them in all we know, and make men of them." Canasatego 1744
The desert is a true treasure for him who seeks refuge from men and the evil of men. In it is contentment In it is death and all you seek (Quoted from "The Bleeding of the Stone" Ibrahim Al-Koni)
SPC Twombly (one of the two guys left behind) in Blackhawk Down
Forrest Bondurant in Lawless
Both Kray twins in Legend
Fitzgerald in The Revenant
Spitfire pilot in Dunkirk
Alfie Solomons in Peaky Blinders
The older short haired Biker lead role in the Bikeriders trailer
"...if the gentlemen of Virginia shall send us a dozen of their sons, we would take great care in their education, instruct them in all we know, and make men of them." Canasatego 1744
SPC Twombly (one of the two guys left behind) in Blackhawk Down
Forrest Bondurant in Lawless
Both Kray twins in Legend
Fitzgerald in The Revenant
Spitfire pilot in Dunkirk
Alfie Solomons in Peaky Blinders
The older short haired Biker lead role in the Bikeriders trailer
Thanks, shows how much I pay attention. I've seen Blackhawk Down, seems like a million years ago now. Saw the Revenant, I think, That's how much of it I remember.
Haven't seen any of the others. Don't see many movies, even here , unless it's something the wife wants to watch. Usually I'm watching HOCKEY, maybe the EPL, or some real crime show. Not much into fiction I guess.
The desert is a true treasure for him who seeks refuge from men and the evil of men. In it is contentment In it is death and all you seek (Quoted from "The Bleeding of the Stone" Ibrahim Al-Koni)
