The Bikeriders is a new film from director Jeff Nichols and was inspired by a photograph book by Danny Lyons of the same name that depicted the life of a motorcycle gang in Illinois. Despite the fact that this is inspired by this photo-book, the film itself is a fictional story.

According to IMDB, “After a chance encounter at a local bar, strong-willed Kathy (Jodie Comer) is inextricably drawn to Benny (Austin Butler), the newest member of Midwestern motorcycle club, the Vandals led by the enigmatic Johnny (Tom Hardy). Much like the country around it, the club begins to evolve, transforming from a gathering place for local outsiders into a dangerous underworld of violence, forcing Benny to choose between Kathy and his loyalty to the club.”

The ensemble cast in The Bikeriders is tremendous and they all provide great performances no matter how long they were on screen. Austin Butler is wonderful and the relationship between him and Jodie Comer are the backbone of the movie. Tom Hardy gives a top notch performance as the head of the bike group. Others in the ensemble include Michael Shannon, Boyd Halbrook, Norman Reedus, Mike Faist, Damon Herriman, Emory Cohen, Beau Knapp, and Toby Wallace.

The story is solid as we see how much this motorcycle club means to the individual. Tom Hardy and Austin Baker work very well together. I enjoyed the struggle within the story for Baker.

I also liked the format for the narrative as we see Jodie Comer being interviewed by the character played by Mike Faist, who was a former member of the motorcycle club and returned as the photographer Danny Lyons who would be the person who did the photo-book this was based upon.

I was not looking forward to this movie, but it was better than I expected it to be. Great actors working well together to tell a solid story.

3.85 stars