Jeff Nichols, to whom we owe Take Shelter, Mud and Midnight Special, unveils his new film, The Bikeriders, in theaters on June 19, 2024. With a quality cast: Austin Butler, Tom Hardy, Norman Reedus and Jodie Comer .
Beating drum, Jeff Nichols arrives at the cinema on June 19, 2024 with The Bikeriders. Inspired by the story of the American photographer Danny Lyon who documented, from 1965 to 1967, the life of a Midwest motorcycle club until becoming part of their gang and living alongside them, the film recounts the creation and rise of the fictional club of Chicago Vandals.
Obviously influenced by EasyRider And Sons of Anarchythe film perfectly manages to capture the feeling of freedom which crossed American society during the 60s, carried by a soul and rock’n roll soundtrack. The United States has not yet taken part massively in the Vietnam Warand theemancipation of society goes through culture and interest in hobbies until then underground.
From its beginnings as a simple racing car (created out of admiration for Marlon Brando in The Wild Team) up to the fall – moral – of the Vandals, flushed by a new generation, returning traumatized from the war, who do not carry their values, Jeff Nichols brilliantly captures this era when everything still seemed possible. The American filmmaker chooses a female point of view to tell this epic, that of Kathy (Jodie Comerexcellent as always) who enters, willy-nilly, into this testosterone world.
The introduction to the different members of the band takes place through fixed shots, facing the camera, with strong nods to the portrait photos of Danny Lyon. Under the leadership of Johnny (Tom Hardyparticularly invested in the role), the Chicago Vandals are played by a choice cast, including Michael Shannon who signs his sixth collaboration with the director of Take Shelter, Norman Reedus (The Walking Dead) in the role of a laughing biker from a competing club, and Austin Butlerwith his blond, dark and mute angel face, Johnny’s right arm.
Everyone is getting along, that’s certain, and their heavy Midwestern accent has something to do with it, but the film also knows how to highlight the cracks in these marginals rejected by life, questioning their masculinity And this need to belong to a group. Because the Vandals weren’t always tough. In reality, The Bikeriders above all tells the story of little boys lacking love who, to recreate the family they never had, surround themselves with roaring engines.
The Bikeriders trailer:
