The Bikeriders also stars Austin Butler, Tom Hardy, and Jodie Comer in a story about a Midwest motorcycle club in the 1960s.
The Bikeriders is a film by Jeff Nichols based on Danny Lyons’s same-titled photography book, published in 1968, chronicling the author’s experience with the Chicago Outlaw Motorcycle Club. The film premiered at the Telluride Film Festival in August 2023 and in theaters in June 2024. On August 9, the film will feature its streaming debut on Peacock.
The movie revolves around the fictional Vandals Motorcycle Club, told from the perspective of one of the members’ girlfriends, Kathy, portrayed by Jodie Comer. She finds herself drawn to the newest bike club member, Benny (Austin Butler). The club is led by Tom Hardy’s Johnny, and the story follows the club from its humble beginnings as a place for local misfits to a violent and dangerous group that engages in unlawful acts.
The Bikeriders has received favorable reviews and earned an 81% ranking on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics applaud Comer’s performance, the outstanding cast, and Nichols’ gritty approach to the storytelling.
The Bikeriders cast
The movie features an outstanding cast, including Michael Shannon, an actor known for his roles in The Shape of Water, Take Shelter, and many more, who has appeared in all of Nichols’ films. Norman Reedus portrays Funny Sonny, a character based on an actual member of the Outlaws club.
- Jodie Comer – Kathy
- Austin Butler – Benny
- Tom Hardy – Johnny
- Michael Shannon – Zipco
- Boyd Holbrook – Cal
- Mike Faist – Danny Lyons
- Damon Herriman – Brucie
- Emory Cohen – Cockroach
- Happy Anderson – Big Jack
- Toby Wallace – The Kid
- Beau Knapp – Wahoo
- Karl Glusman – Corky
- Norman Reedus – Funny Sonny
- Paul Sparks – Gary Rogue Leader-
- Will Oldham – Bartender
Several of the characters in the movie are based on actual members of the Outlaws. This is true of Reedus’ Funny Sonny, a former member of the Hell’s Angels before joining the Outlaws. Reedus transformed into the character for the role and was unrecognizable as the well-known actor who portrays Daryl Dixon, complete with rotted teeth. And that was the idea. Reedus didn’t want to play this role with any resemblance to Daryl. I’d say he achieved that goal; see below.
The French lifestyle hit Daryl hard💀 pic.twitter.com/r6oLin3WT1
— 🗽DeadCity🗽 (@DeadCityAMC) September 6, 2023
The Bikeriders will begin streaming in Peacock on August 9.
Reedus will star, alongside Melissa McBride as Carol Peleiter in The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon – The Book of Carol. This is the second of the series that will premiere on AMC and AMC+ on September 29.
