Jeff Nichols is back with “The Bikeriders”. He’s coming off what’s been the longest break of his filmmaking career — Nichols hasn’t directed a film since 2016’s “Loving.”
“The Bikeriders” is set in the 1960s following the rise of a fictional, midwestern motorcycle club. Seen through the lives of its members, the club evolves over the course of a decade from a gathering place for local outsiders into a full-out gang, threatening the original group’s unique way of life.
The cast includes the likes of Austin Butler, Jodie Comer, Tom Hardy, Michael Shannon, Boyd Holbrook, Norman Reedus and Mike Faist.
Nichols’ new film just screened at Telluride, a film festival mostly populated by Oscar bloggers and pundits. There haven’t been any reviews published just yet of the film, but we do have our first reactions via social media:
“Austin Butler, Michael Shannon, Tom Hardy, Mike Faist, Emory Cohen, Norman Reedus… Jeff Nichols’ The Bikeriders is like the Avengers of grease and weird accents. doesn’t really hang together but always fun to see something where everyone is making a CHOICE with each line.” — David Ehrlich, IndieWire
“THE BIKERIDERS isn’t really about a club of bikeriders. It’s an elegy to universes long gone. It affected me for that.” — Kris Tapley
“THE BIKERIDERS disappoints as a weak copy of Goodfellas. Accents go off the wall (especially Jodie Comer) where everyone is making wildly different choices that don’t compliment each other. Austin Butler ekes out a good performance but the framing device does him no favors” — Erik Anderson, Awards Watch
“The Bikeriders is Jeff Nichols love letter to 60s-70s motorcycle culture. It is well-shot but the story did very little to engage me. Jodie Comer delivers the film’s best performance. Austin Butler looks the part but doesn’t really act. Tom Hardy is Tom Hardy.” — Scott Menzel, HFCA
“The Bikeriders is quite good. Jodie Comer is once again incredible (is she ever not?). Pains me a bit to say it but maybe Tom Hardy’s best performance in over a decade? Review coming in the wee morning hours” — Gregory Ellwood, The Playlist
“THE BIKERIDERS: Excellent film written & directed by JEFF NICHOLS! Riveting, engrossing & consuming! You feel the vibe of the last great era of bikeriders! Gritty, moody & atmospheric! Tom Hardy, Austin Butler & Jodie Comer are terrific! A triumph!” — Scott Mantz, Access Hollywood
“Jodie Comer is tremendous in THE BIKERIDERS, a shaggy, familiar, lightly funny ensemble piece from Jeff Nichols.” — David Canfield, Vanity Fair
“The Bikeriders is Jeff Nichols’ most mainstream work to date. Austin Butler, Jodie Comer, and Tom Hardy are suitably intense. There aren’t really any surprises to be found in this one, but it’s a solid film to kick off Telluride.” — Joey Magidson, Awards Circuit
“THE BIKERIDERS is an evocative & masculine story of brotherhood. Austin Butler oozes sex appeal & cool intensity while Tom Hardy’s bears the crushing weight of leadership but it’s Jodie Comer who owns the film with her transformative talent. A roaring return for Jeff Nichols.” — Matt Neglia, Next Best Picture
“There hasn’t been a movie like this in some time. There’s no other way to say it: Dudes…….rock.” — Sean Fenessey, The Ringer
“If Jeff Nichols were to make a Scorsese mafioso movie, it would look very much like BIKERIDERS. Exceptional ensemble work, and a stunning performance from Jodie Comer. Side note: few things as captivating on the big screen as Austin Butler smoking.” — Tomris Laffly, RogerEbert
“This photo by Danny Lyon inspired Jeff Nichols to create one of the most surprising pieces of art I’ve seen. The Bikeriders is a fantastic film full of great performances. Nichols’ best work to date. Astoundingly good. Elvis made Butler an Oscar nominee. This makes him a star.” — Clarence Moye, Awards Daily
“The Bikeriders was absolutely badass. Jodie Comer was lights out. The Goodfellas for motorcycle gangs” — Mark Johnson, Awards Daily
Nothing overly grounded or serious will be found here. This isn’t high art. Colorful visuals, exaggerated characters, and high-energy vibes will be served.