The Bikeriders

"+/- While I do think this is competently made in the sense that the performances are good, the cinematography is high quality, and the editing moves the story forward decently, I also think that THE BIKERIDERS felt like many other similar movies rolled into one. This can be said for movies like JOKER or BLACK MASS, but whereas those movies felt like emulations, this felt like a retread for the most part. It's a shame because I like the idea of a story not following an established gang or organization, but instead one that is started as a way to establish power, but not able to be maintained. It becomes a story about the creation that overpowers the creator, and I don't see that very much in these types of movies. The problem is that it doesn't explore this aspect in an authentic way that would allow us to enter this particular gang and world. The director Jeff Nichols starts taking too many pages out of Scorsese's book by making the rock music of the time the soundtrack to the movie, and having much of the dialogue sound like something we might hear in one of his movies. It looks as well produced as GOODFELLAS or THE DEPARTED, yet in my opinion, it looks too good. The movie, being about bikers who look as if they are always on the road, and rarely change their clothes or bathe, could have benefited from a dirtier, grittier look, with more handheld work, and set designs that were more suggestive of the time. Something more in the vein of an indie production. The overproduction and lack of personal identity also makes the performances suffer to a certain extent. One example is Jodie Comer as the wife, who gives a wonderfully nuanced performance, but comes across as inhabiting a world that is too reminiscent of other similar movies. Her authentic portrayal deserves a cinematic world that is different from other movies that we have seen. Something more real and less produced. It's not a bad movie, but it could have been more different instead of a stylistic rehash."

"This was a very good movie. It's not a movie about motorcycle culture, but now about the friendship. This could have been about a knitting club with guys that are great friends, but it wouldn't have been as cool. A definite go see. 8.5/10"

"Austin Butler and Tom Hardy are fantastic here. But the real highlight is Jodie Comer. She gives a wonderful performance that makes her character feel real and grounded. I love a gritty biker narrative and this being inspired by a true story makes all the more special. 8/10"

"Tom Hardy and the ever charismatic Austin Butler give this otherwise aimless story some sense of authenticity. More Bibleriders and less of Jodie Comer"

"Well made movie & top talent….just not my jam…I don’t typically love the Godfather/mobster genre. Jodie Comer is an incredible actress. Tom Hardy is one of ky favorites and Austin Butler is just going to keep being awesome. "

"I got to watch this during AMC’s Screen Unseen event and I gotta say I am happy I didn’t pay full price. While I thought at first that this movie would be about how a motorcycle club was formed and how it evolved, I quickly realized it was more about the relationships between the three main characters."

"We just saw this movie yesterday. It was good. Austin Butler, Tom Hardy, and Jodie Comer were all great to watch. It was cool seeing the bike club and how it started, but sad seeing how it changed over time. It wasn’t a fast paced movie and not much action. It was a film of friendship and loyalty and how far you will or won’t go to stay loyal. "