★★★★

.5

starring: austin butler, tom hardy, jodie comer, and norman reedus​

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REVIEWER: nick tonkin

Over the course of a decade, a Midwestern motorcycle club evolves from a gathering place for local outsiders to a sinister gang, threatening the original group's way of life.

The Bikeriders was written and directed by Jeff Nichols (Midnight Special, Loving) and is an adaptation of the photojournalism book of the same name by Danny Lyon that follows the lives of members of the Vandals Motorcycle Club over time and the changes within their club.

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The Bikeriders features impressive yet understated performances from Tom Hardy and Austin Butler as two key members of the club. Hardy taps into his great ability to give menacing yet unusually subdued performances in his portrayal of Johnny Davis, leader of the Vandals. Austin Butler smoulders in his performance as Benny, a true rebel biker and protégé of Johnny.

Jodie Comer and Mike Faist provide a kind of normality in an otherwise chaotic sea of characters; Comer plays Kathy, Benny’s long-suffering wife and Faist portrays Danny Lyon, the author of the book the film was based upon, while he is doing his research. Many recognisable faces appear in The Bikeriders, but all of them disappear into their characters which gives the film an incredibly compelling quality. 

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Adding further to the film is the strength of the script and the control of the narrative by writer/director Jeff Nichols. His efforts give his actors quality to work with and the result is impressive. Alongside this, the film’s sound design is excellent: the roar of motorbikes is enthralling, we feel it as if we were right there beside Austin Butler’s Benny.

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The Bikeriders is an excellent adaption by Jeff Nichols of Danny Lyon’s work, with engrossing performances from Tom Hardy and Austin Butler.

★★★★