The Bikeriders tells an intriguing story reminiscent of Shakespeare, focusing on 'The Vandals' Motorcycle Club. It seems to get at what makes that kind of lifestyle tick, showing moments that feel genuine and familiar. The scenes involving the club members are especially captivating, particularly those featuring Tom Hardy’s Johnny and Austin Butler’s Benny—their performances really stand out. Tom Hardy and Austin Butler both give remarkable portrayals that lift up the movie. Hardy brings a sense of raw power to Johnny, showing the character's complexity and what he’s struggling with inside. For instance, when Johnny is dealing with decisions about leading the group, it shows how well Hardy can communicate vulnerability even though his character seems tough on the outside. Butler, meanwhile, has an undeniable charm as Benny, making his journey both interesting to watch and deeply moving. The connection between them feels real, which adds another layer to their relationship onscreen. However, Jodie Comer’s role as Kathy presents some problems. While Comer acts well enough, the way her character is directed and certain decisions made about her are difficult to accept. Her accent, in particular, pulls you out of the story; it's noticeable and distracting. This isn't quite as apparent when she’s with the other club members but becomes very obvious whenever she speaks with the photographer who’s documenting the club. These parts, meant to move the plot forward or add surprises, feel forced in and disrupt the flow. The choice to have Kathy narrate while talking to the reporter—who is based on the actual author of the book the film is from—doesn't quite work. It might have been better if the narration came from the reporter’s point of view or if the story was simply told in a more traditional way. For example, telling it chronologically would have kept things consistent and made the shifts in time less confusing. The disconnected storytelling often interrupts the film's momentum, making it hard to stay completely invested in what’s happening. Despite these shortcomings, the central story of The Bikeriders remains compelling. It captures the sense of belonging, conflict, and emotional ups and downs that come with being part of a motorcycle club. Even though the writing feels disjointed because of the timeline jumping around, it still communicates the drama and intensity of the characters’ lives. A more straightforward telling could have improved how the story is presented, giving it a clearer path from beginning to end. Ultimately, The Bikeriders has considerable promise, largely thanks to the excellent performances by Tom Hardy and Austin Butler. Their portrayals of Johnny and Benny give the film energy and emotional depth. However, certain choices about the storytelling and some distracting elements—like Kathy’s accent and the fragmented timeline—hold it back. While these issues don't completely ruin the story's impact, they do lessen the overall enjoyment. It’s still worth seeing for the strong character work and its realistic look at motorcycle club life, but it could have been even better with a more conventional narrative style.

Source on TMDB