The Bikeriders Release Date: Recap, Cast, Review, Spoilers, Streaming, Schedule & Where To Watch?
The Bikeriders: If you are a fan of gritty crime dramas, motorcycle gangs, or the works of Jeff Nichols, you might be interested in his latest film, The Bikeriders. The film is inspired by the 1967 photo book of the same name by Danny Lyon, which documented the lives of the Outlaws MC, a Chicago-based motorcycle club. The film features an impressive ensemble cast that includes Jodie Comer, Austin Butler, Tom Hardy, Michael Shannon, Norman Reedus, and more.
Release Date
The Bikeriders premiered at the 50th Telluride Film Festival on August 31, 2023, where it received positive reviews from critics and audiences. The film was originally scheduled to be released theatrically in the United States on June 21, 2024, by 20th Century Studios, but due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike and a switch in distributors, the film was pushed back to December 1, 2024. The film will be distributed by Focus Features in the United States and Canada and by Universal Pictures internationally.
Plot
The film is set in the 1960s and follows the rise of a fictional Chicago motorcycle club, the Vandals. Seen through the lives of its members, the club evolves over a decade from a gathering place for local outsiders into a more sinister gang, threatening the original group’s unique way of life. The film explores the themes of loyalty, friendship, family, violence, and freedom, as well as the historical and cultural context of the era.
Cast
The film boasts a stellar cast of talented actors, who bring the complex and charismatic characters to life. Here are some of the main cast members and their roles:
| Character | Actor |
|---|---|
| Benny | Austin Butler |
| Kathy | Jodie Comer |
| Johnny | Tom Hardy |
| Zipco | Michael Shannon |
| Danny Lyon | Mike Faist |
| Cal | Boyd Holbrook |
| Brucie | Damon Herriman |
| Wahoo | Beau Knapp |
| Cockroach | Emory Cohen |
| Corky | Karl Glusman |
| The Kid | Toby Wallace |
| Funny Sonny | Norman Reedus |
| Big Jack | Happy Anderson |
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Review & Rating
The Bikeriders is a captivating and immersive film that transports the viewers to the world of motorcycle clubs in the 1960s. The film is directed by Jeff Nichols, who is known for his previous films such as Mud, Take Shelter, and Loving. Nichols has a distinctive style of storytelling, which combines realism, emotion, and suspense. He also has a knack for creating memorable characters, who are flawed, complex, and relatable. The film is written by Nichols, who based his script on his original idea and the photo book by Danny Lyon. The film is not a biopic or a documentary, but a fictional story inspired by real events and people.
The film is praised for its cinematography, editing, music, and production design, which create a vivid and authentic atmosphere of the time and place. The film is shot by Adam Stone, who has collaborated with Nichols on all of his films. The film uses a mix of natural and artificial lighting, as well as different camera angles and movements, to capture the mood and tone of each scene. The film is edited by Julie Monroe, who also worked with Nichols on Loving.
The film has a smooth and coherent flow, as well as a balanced pace, which keeps the viewers engaged and invested. The film features an original score by David Wingo, who has composed the music for all of Nichols’ films. The film also uses songs from the 1960s, which reflect the culture and spirit of the era. The film is produced by Sarah Green, Brian Kavanaugh-Jones, Arnon Milchan, and Nichols, who have a track record of making quality films.
The film is made with a budget of $40 million, which is modest for a period drama, but the film does not compromise on the quality or the scale of the production. The film is set and filmed in various locations in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana, which adds to the realism and diversity of the film.
The Bikeriders received a 7.6 out of 10 rating from 974 users on IMDb. The series also earned an 86% score from critics and a 91% score from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.
Spoilers
The Bikeriders is a series that is full of twists and turns, surprises and shocks, and drama and tragedy. Here are some of the major spoilers for the series, so be warned if you have not watched it yet:
- In the first season finale, Johnny is shot and wounded by Wahoo, who ambushes him and Kathy at their home. Benny arrives in time to save them, but he is also shot and killed by Wahoo, who escapes. Johnny survives, but he is devastated by the loss of his brother and vows revenge.
- In the second season, Johnny becomes more obsessed and violent, as he leads the Vandals in a bloody war against the Outcasts. He also becomes estranged from Kathy, who is pregnant with their second child and wants him to quit the club. Johnny also faces betrayal from within the club, as Danny, who is secretly working for Wahoo, tries to kill him.
- In the second season finale, Johnny finally confronts Wahoo in a climactic showdown, where they both die in a fiery explosion. The series ends with a flash-forward to 1982, where Kathy and her son, who is named after Johnny, visit Johnny’s grave, along with Zipco, Brucie, and The Kid. They are joined by Corky, who is now the president of the Vandals, and Funny Sonny, who is now the president of the Nomads. They pay their respects to Johnny and Benny and ride away together.
The Bikeriders Trailer
Where can I stream, watch, and download the series?
The Bikeriders is available to stream exclusively on HBO Max, the streaming service of WarnerMedia. You can watch the series on any device that supports HBO Max, such as smart TVs, laptops, tablets, smartphones, and gaming consoles. You can also download the episodes for offline viewing on the HBO Max app.
The series is also available to buy or rent on various digital platforms, such as iTunes, Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, and Vudu. You can also purchase the DVD or Blu-ray of the series in online stores, such as Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy.
The series has two seasons, with a total of 15 episodes. The first season has seven episodes, and the second season has eight episodes. Each episode has a runtime of about 55 minutes. The series is rated R for language throughout, violence, some drug use, and brief sexuality.
The schedule and release dates of the series are as follows:
- Season 1: March 31, 2022 – April 28, 2022
- Season 2: November 16, 2023 – December 14, 2023
Why should I watch The Bikeriders?
The Bikeriders is a series that offers a thrilling and immersive experience for the viewers, who can witness the fascinating and turbulent world of the motorcycle club and its members. The series is not only a captivating crime drama, but also a compelling character study, that explores the themes of brotherhood, loyalty, freedom, and identity. The series also features stunning cinematography, authentic production design, and a rocking soundtrack, that captures the mood and atmosphere of the 1960s.
The series also showcases the incredible talents of its cast, who deliver powerful and nuanced performances, especially Tom Hardy, who is widely regarded as one of the best actors of his generation. Hardy gives a tour de force performance as Johnny, the complex and charismatic leader of the Vandals, who is torn between his love for his club and his family, and his struggle with his demons and enemies. Hardy is also an executive producer of the series, and he has expressed his passion and dedication for the project, which he considers as one of his most personal and challenging roles.
The Bikeriders is a series that has received critical acclaim and audience appreciation, as well as several awards and nominations, including a BAFTA Award for Best Actor for Tom Hardy. The series has also been praised for its realistic and respectful depiction of the biker culture, and its homage to the classic films of the genre, such as Easy Rider, The Wild One, and The Wild Angels.
The Bikeriders is a series that is not to be missed by anyone who loves crime dramas, motorcycles, and Tom Hardy. It is a series that will keep you hooked, entertained, and moved, from the first episode to the last. It is a series that will make you feel the thrill and the pain of the bike riders.
