On the surface, The Bikeriders is about the evolution of The Vandals from motorcycle club to gang. In reality, writer and director Jeff Nichols uses the club’s rise and fall as an unusual entry point into a love triangle.
The Bikeriders features one of the best ensembles since Autin Butler‘s previous 2024 film, Dune: Part II. Butler is at his smoldering best as Benny Bauer. Jodie Comer chews the scenery as loquacious Kathy, the newcomer to the club and narrator. Tom Hardy adds a touch of vulnerability as the tough-guy leader of the club, Johnny, and reminds everyone he’s one of the best actors when paired with the right material. These three serve as the love triangle as Benny is caught between his love for Kathy and loyalty to the club.
Butler, Comer and Hardy are joined by a murders row of terrific actors. Michael Shannon, Norman Reedus, Damon Harrimon and Boyd Holbrook all get moments to shine. However, it’s Mike Faist and Toby Wallace who stand out. Faist follows up on his great performance in 2024’s Challengers as reporter Danny Lyon, who is documenting the club for a story. Faist’s subtle reactions, especially when he’s opposite Comer and Shannon, bring a unique energy to the film. Wallace plays the antagonist, The Kid, who wants to join the Vandals. However, after being rebuffed by Johnny, he turns against the Vandals.
The performances and dialogue allow The Bikeriders to succeed. However, there are some issues. The first half of The Bikeriders is enthralling but loses steam as the film ends. Butler delivers a layered performance, but the characterization of Benny makes it tough to truly understand his motives. For instance, how he looks at Kathy makes it clear he loves her. However, it’s unclear what drew him to her enough to marry her five weeks after meeting for the first time.
Thankfully, the performances and Nichol’s skills as a writer/director are enough to make The Bikeriders one of the more memorable 2024 films.
With the overview complete, let’s dive deeper into the love triangle, devolution of The Vandals and Johnny’s battle with a kid.
Heart and Soul of The Bikeriders
Benny is involved in a love triangle with Kathy and The Vandals. Their healthy respect makes the dynamic between Kathy, Benny, and Johnny work.
Early on, Kathy respected the club a great deal. However, after Benny suffers serious injuries, she asks Benny to quit. When he seems less than enthused about the idea, she approaches Johnny. Kathy faces off against Johnny over wanting Benny out of the club. Johnny never disrespects Kathy. He says Benny is an adult and can make his own choices. Later, Benny shows up at a picnic. Jonny reveals he wants Benny to take over the club.
Unlike the other members, including Johnny, Benny’s whole life centers around the club. Although his soul may be bound to the club, his heart also resides with Kathy. Johnny offers Benny the opportunity to take over multiple times, but Benny turns him down each time.
This push-and-pull alongside Comer, Butler and Hardy’s performances provide the narrative throttle to The Bikeriders.
The Vandals Bike Club
The history of the Vandals in Chicago is revealed through Kathy’s narration and her back-and-forth with Danny.
Outside of Benny, all are part-time club members. The Vandals is a second home for outcasts. Some, like Cal (Holbrook), are from another country, in this case, Canada. Others like Zipco (Shannon) are rejected by society. Zipco’s story is pretty sad. He wanted to serve in Vietnam but was rejected.
Johnny starts The Vandals as a racing club before becoming a riding club.
Johnny’s honor
Make no mistake—Johnny has a violent streak. His actions are usually reactions to others. For example, Benny’s injury incites Johnny. He shows mercy to the bar owner where the attack occurs but exemplifies the attackers. His actions in this scene stoke fear in the cops and firefighters.
The Vandals’ reputation begins to spread throughout the streets of Chicago. For The Kid, the Vandals represent freedom from a boring home life. After leaving his home, he approaches Johnny but fails Johnny’s honor test.
Johnny’s a problematic character for sure, but there’s an honorable nature in how he runs the club for the most part. He even allows club members to challenge him in hand-to-hand combat or a knife fight. Unfortunately, as the club expands, Johnny loses control, and the club looks more like a gang.
Johnny wants Benny to take over so the club can stay the same. Johnny’s weariness leads to dangerous people committing and the club’s downfall.
The Bikeriders Final Thoughts
Overall, while the story does run out of gas at points, incredible performances overcome those speed bumps.
The Review
The Bikeriders
PROS
- Performances by Jodie Comer, Austin Butler and Tom Hardy form a compelling triangle.
- Murders row of fantastic character actors.
- The Vandals as a home for outcasts is surprisingly touching.
- The fall of The Vandals as it grows in notoriety is well done.
CONS
- Story loses steam as it goes along.
- Benny's love for Kathy isn't explored sufficiently which hampers the love triangle a little.
