The Bikeriders

Starring: Austin Butler, Jodie Comer, Tom Hardy, Michael Shannon, Mike Faist, Boyd Holbrook, Damon Berriman, Beau Knapp, Emory Cohen, Karl Glusman, Toby Wallace, Norman Reedus, Happy Anderson, Paul Sparks
Directed by: Jeff Nichols
Rating: R
Genre: Drama
2024

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: Follows the Midwestern biker gang, the Vandals, as they form, grow, and potentially change forever.

Review:

Tim: Jeff Nichols is a director whom I believe has nearly unlimited upside. He's not the first "great" director that comes to mind, but his films are often fantastic. Midnight Special and Mud are two incredible achievements. You can add The Bikeriders to that list. This is one of the best films of 2024, another great movie from one of the best directors working today.

There's so many things I love about this film. It's inspired by a true story and it takes us deep into a world most of us aren't familiar with- Midwestern biker gangs. There's been some amazing biker movies over the years, but it's still a world worth exploring- the violence, the loyalty, the betrayals- there's so much human drama packed into this men's lives. Nichols explores all that with his insightful and powerful film. This is a film that does nearly everything well- technically, narratively, and cast-wise. It is a great movie.

I couldn't believe how exceptional everyone in this film is. It all starts with Austin Butler, taking big steps towards becoming a huge movie star. He was quite effective in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood..., stunning in Elvis, part of the one of the best films of 2024 (besides this) in Dune: Part Two, and now headlines this film with another heartfelt, complex, fascinating performance. He's so believable in the role and draws the audience's attention toward himself. I hope he takes care and makes the right choices in his life, because he has unfathomable potential. As good as he is in this role, Jodie Comer really steals the show. She's as much of a lead as anyone here. I wouldn't say I started out the film loving Comer, but she quickly won me over. She was excellent in Free Guy and delivers perhaps her best performance to date here. It's a masterclass in acting- Nichols gives her enough rope to truly work with and she makes this character powerful and memorable. Her immense talent is on display in nearly every scene. I loved how she worked opposite the rest of the cast, bringing something different from this character into play with all those interactions. She should be nominated for an Academy Award for this.

Tom Hardy also gives a shockingly great performance. He's been wasting his time with the average Venom movies. I'd nearly forgotten how incredible his talent is. Hardy should absolutely receive an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. He elevates the movie with his complex, unexpected, heartfelt performance. Hardy's character isn't a "good" guy or a "bad" guy- he's both, neither, all of the above. He brings depth and layers to this role and it's mesmerizing to watch him work. I also loved seeing Jeff Nichols' longtime collaborator, Michael Shannon in a nice supporting role. Shannon doesn't get a ton of screen time, but he makes the most of it. Mike Faist isn't an actor I love yet, but I thought he did remarkably well in the film. I'm a big fan of Boyd Holbrook and truly made his character stand out in a big cast filled with strong performances. Damon Herriman and Beau Knapp added strong performances. I loved seeing Norman Reedus show up here. I don't like Toby Wallace (he was terrible in Finestkind, but it's a testament to Nichols that he used him perfectly- in an unlikeable role. Wallace works, surprising, playing this character. As a whole, this is a cast that give nearly universally strong performances.

The cast absolutely adds immense value to this film, but I also need to praise the movie for its craft side. Nichols knows how to make a great film- the editing, the cinematography, the soundtrack, it all just simply works. It's such a delight to watch a movie confidently directed by someone with incredible talent. I write this review far in advance of the year end awards, so I have no idea how this film will do. I'm a bit nervous it will be overlooked. I sincerely believe it should receive at least 5-6 Academy Award nominations- Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting, Director, and then a few technical categories as well. It's that good of a film.

I really enjoyed getting to step into this world of rebels. These are men (and women) who fight against convention, who defy expectations while still needing a sense of community. These aren't especially intelligent people, but themes of friendship, loyalty, violence, and freedom emerge through their story. It's usually interesting to see people who spur the majority of society, who live on the margins, who attempt to write their own story. This film deals with deeper themes in a human way, telling both a powerful character-driven drama while touching on what makes these individuals so unique in society. I loved getting to peak into this world and see both its ups and downs.

My time with The Bikeriders was absolutely wonderful. It's currently the best film I've seen in 2024. While there's some incredible-looking ones yet to release, this will undoubtedly remain one of my favorite movies of the year. It's the kind of movie we desperately need more of- dramatic, ambitious, engrossing. Nichols further proves he's a must-see director. I've now loved 3 out of the 5 films of his I've seen. That is impressive.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 8



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: Midnight Special, Mud, Loving, Elvis, Free Guy, Easy Rider