The Bikeriders is an American drama film by Jeff Nichols. It is inspired by the photobook of the same name by Danny Lyon, which chronicled several personalities in and related to the Chicago Outlaws Motorcycle Club.
In 1960s Chicago, Kathy (Jodie Comer), a woman married to Benny (Austin Butler), a reckless bikerider, recounts the story of the Vandals to Lyon (Mike Faist), beginning with their leader Johnny (Tom Hardy). As the club gets into darker and more dangerous activities, Kathy, Benny, and Johnny all need to question their loyalties.
The film's cast also includes Michael Shannon, Norman Reedus, and Boyd Holbrook.
The film debuted at Telluride 2023 to positive reviews. Originally set to release in December 2023, after a delay due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strikes and a Channel Hop from 20th Century Studios to Focus Features, it is currently scheduled to release on June 21, 2024.
Previews: Trailer
Tropes:
- "Back to Camera" Pose: The first poster released for the film photographs Benny from the back as he sits at his bike and looks out into the open sky, showing he's something of a wild spirit.
- Bar Brawl: One of the trailer scenes that establish Benny's haradass personality is getting into a fight at a bar with two men who want his jacket. After they're thrown outside, the switchblade comes out.
- Based on a True Story: The trailer claims the film to be "inspired by true events", in this case the story of the Chicago Outlaws Motorcycle Club.
- Fourth-Date Marriage: In the trailer, Kathy cheekily tells Danny that she married Benny after five weeks.
- I Can Change My Beloved: Kathy says in the trailer that she thought she could change her bad-boy beloved into someone less wild.
- Love at First Sight: In the trailer, Kathy recounts being enthralled by Benny as soon as she laid eyes on him.
- What the Hell Is That Accent?: Jodie Comer's American accent ranges from Southern to Midwestern to New Yorker, sometimes in the same scene.
