Wikipedia

The Bikeriders

The Bikeriders is a 2023 American drama film written and directed by Jeff Nichols. It tells a fictional story inspired by the 1967 photo-book of the same name by Danny Lyon depicting the lives of the Outlaws MC, a Chicago-based motorcycle gang. The film features an ensemble cast that includes Jodie Comer, Austin Butler, Michael Shannon, Mike Faist, Norman Reedus, and Tom Hardy.

The Bikeriders
Teaser poster
Directed byJeff Nichols
Written byJeff Nichols
Based onThe Bikeriders
by Danny Lyon
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyAdam Stone
Edited byJulie Monroe
Music byDavid Wingo
Production
companies
Distributed byFocus Features (USA/Canada)
Universal Pictures (International)
Release dates
  • August 31, 2023 (2023-08-31) (Telluride)
  • June 21, 2024 (2024-06-21) (United States)
Running time
116 minutes[1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$40 million[2]

The Bikeriders premiered at the 50th Telluride Film Festival on August 31, 2023. Originally scheduled to be released theatrically in the United States on December 1, 2023, by 20th Century Studios, the release was delayed due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. Ultimately, Focus Features acquired the film from producer New Regency, scheduling it for its current release date of June 21, 2024.

Premise edit

Set in the 1960s, it follows the rise of the Vandals MC, a fictional Chicago outlaw motorcycle club. Seen through the lives of its members and their families, the club evolves over the course of a decade from a surrogate family for local outcasts into violent organized crime, threatening the original founder's unique vision and way of life.[3]

Cast edit

Production edit

Development edit

In October 2018, Jeff Nichols revealed he had been thinking about making a biker film set in the 1960s for five years, although he did not at that stage have a script, and mentioned the idea on the set of his short film Long Way Back Home to Michael Shannon, who reportedly told him "You've been talking about that damn idea for so long. You're never gonna make that [film]".[4][5] Nichols wrote the screenplay from his original story idea and began forming the project in 2022. New Regency agreed to produce the film in May 2022. The film is titled after the 1967 Danny Lyon photography book.[6]

It was announced in August 2022 that Nichols would also direct the film, with Jodie Comer, Austin Butler, and Tom Hardy being cast.[3] Michael Shannon, Boyd Holbrook, and Damon Herriman were added to the cast later in the month.[7] That September, Toby Wallace, Emory Cohen, Beau Knapp, Karl Glusman, and Happy Anderson joined the ensemble cast.[8] Norman Reedus and Mike Faist were added to the cast the following month.[9][10]

Filming edit

Principal photography began in Cincinnati, Ohio in October 2022 and concluded that December.[11][12]

Release edit

The Bikeriders premiered as the opening film of the 50th Telluride Film Festival on August 31, 2023.[13][2] It was originally scheduled to be theatrically released on December 1, 2023, by 20th Century Studios, but it was taken off the release schedule due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, which prevented the cast from promoting the film.[14][15] Following this, on November 20 that year, it was reported New Regency was shopping the film to rival studios and streamers for release instead and only two days later Focus Features acquired global distribution rights to the film, with its parent Universal Pictures distributing internationally.[16][17] On December 8, it was announced that Focus had scheduled the film for a theatrical release in the United States on June 21, 2024.[18]

Reception edit

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 86% of 35 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.7/10. The website's consensus reads: "Fueled by a charismatic cast and the gritty authenticity of writer-director Jeff Nichols' approach, The Bikeriders offers a conventional yet impactful look at motorcycle culture."[19] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 71 out of 100, based on 15 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[20]

References edit

  1. ^ "The Bikeriders (2024)". Irish Film Classification Office. February 19, 2023. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  2. ^ a b Feinberg, Scott (August 31, 2023). "Telluride Awards Analysis: 'The Bikeriders' Opens Fest, Puts Jodie Comer in Hunt for First Oscar Nom". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
  3. ^ a b Kroll, Justin; Wiseman, Andreas (August 4, 2022). "Jodie Comer, Austin Butler & Tom Hardy to Lead Ensemble For Jeff Nichols' The Bikeriders At New Regency". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 4, 2022.
  4. ^ Giroux, Jack (October 18, 2018). "Jeff Nichols On The Midwestern Biker Movie He Dreams Of Making". /Film. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  5. ^ Pearson, Ben (August 24, 2018). "'Long Way Back Home' Short Film Reteams Michael Shannon With Director Jeff Nichols". /Film. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
  6. ^ Chapman, Wilson (August 4, 2022). "Jodie Comer, Austin Butler, Tom Hardy to Star in Jeff Nichols Film 'The Bikeriders'". Variety. Retrieved September 7, 2023.
  7. ^ Kroll, Justin (August 17, 2022). "Michael Shannon, Boyd Holbrook and Damon Herriman Latest To Join Jeff Nichols The Bikeriders At New Regency". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 17, 2022.
  8. ^ Kroll, Justin (September 1, 2022). "'The Bikeriders': Emory Cohen, Toby Wallace & Others Join Ensemble Of Jeff Nichols Pic". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 1, 2022.
  9. ^ Kroll, Justin (October 4, 2022). "Norman Reedus Latest To Join Jeff Nichols' The Bikeriders At New Regency". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
  10. ^ Milici, Lauren (November 9, 2022). "Tom Hardy is coming for David Attenborough's job and narrating a new documentary series". GamesRadar+. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  11. ^ "Tom Hardy, Austin Butler and Jodie Comer to Begin Filming New Movie in Cincinnati". Cincinnati CityBeat. August 8, 2022. Retrieved August 11, 2022.
  12. ^ Glynn, Jennifer (December 8, 2022). "Austin Butler's 'The Bikeriders' Wraps Filming". Collider. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  13. ^ "50th Telluride Film Festival - Program Guide" (PDF). Telluride Film Festival. p. 7. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 30, 2023. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
  14. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (July 28, 2023). "Disney Dates 20th Century Studios' Jeff Nichols Pic 'The Bikeriders' For December". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
  15. ^ Rubin, Rebecca (October 17, 2023). "Austin Butler and Tom Hardy Drama 'The Bikeriders' Delays Theatrical Release Due to Strike". Variety. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
  16. ^ Anthony D'Alessandro (November 21, 2023). "New Regency's 'The Bikeriders' Looking For A New Home". Deadline.
  17. ^ Anthony D'Alessandro (November 22, 2023). "Tom Hardy, Austin Butler & Jodie Comer New Regency Pic 'The Bikeriders' Zooms Over To Focus Features". Deadline.
  18. ^ Adam Chitwood (December 8, 2023). "Focus Features Sets June Release for 'The Bikeriders' Starring Austin Butler and Tom Hardy". The Wrap.
  19. ^ "The Bikeriders". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved December 16, 2023.  
  20. ^ "The Bikeriders". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved November 4, 2023.

External links edit

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