Summary
Benny and Kathy meet one night at a local bar and are drawn into each other’s orbit, but with this connection, they are plunged into the world of Midwestern motorcycle clubs in the 1960s inThe Bikeriders. Benny is the newest member of the Vandals, led by the mysterious Johnny. As the country changes around them, the Vandals transform from a community of motorcycle enthusiasts looking for their place in the world into a dangerous underworld of violence. Benny’s loyalty will be tested as he must decide between his loyalty to the Vandals and his love for Kathy.
Austin Butler, Tom Hardy, andJodie Comer deliver phenomenal performanceslayered with pathos and complexity as they lead a powerhouse cast. Jeff Nichols helmedThe Bikeridersas screenwriter and director with his passion for this story, subculture, and era jumping off the screen. Based on Danny Lyons' acclaimed photo book of the same name,The Bikeridersis inspired by both the visuals of the book and the detailed interviews that offered insight into the lives of each of these people.
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Screen RantinterviewedThe Bikeridersstar Norman Reedus. He explained how he met Nichols and got involved inThe Bikeriders. Reedus also explained what inspired his approach to Funny Sonny, his deep love for motorcycles, and how his motorcycle inThe Bikeriderswas unique from his own.
Norman Reedus Reveals How He & Jeff Nichols Bonded Before The Bikeriders
Reedus explained how he became involved inThe Bikeridersincluding his deep love for Lyons' photo book long before he became a part of the movie and his approach to Funny Sonny. Reedus broke down what inspired his look including how he introduced himself to the rest of the cast.
Norman Reedus: Well, I met Jeff in Canne, and we were sitting next to each other. I wasfilming Daryl Dixon in Parisat the time, and we’re sitting there and we’re talking for an hour, having fun. And he goes, Hey, I got a movie I’m going to direct called The Bikeriders. And I said, Wait, is it the Danny Alliance photography book? And he goes, Yeah. And he goes, How do you know about that?
And I go, I’ve several prints of that book in my house, and I have a signed copy from Danny, and then Who are you? And he goes, Oh, I’m Jeff Nichols. I’m like, Wait, wait, wait. Did you direct Mud? And he goes, Yeah. And I’m like, Why didn’t you tell me you were Jeff Nichols that directed Mud? And then he said, Well, I have this character named Funny Sonny. And I’m like, “Okay.” And he sends me the scripts and who is in it.
I’m like, “Dude, you got a lot of good looking guys in this movie. A lot of good looking guys.” And he goes, “Yeah.” And I go, “Can I try something? Can I go in the opposite direction?” And he’s like, “Yeah, do what you want.” I came from Paris to Ohio a couple of times back and forth while I was filming the other thing. I’d show up with these fake teeth and I’d go to Starbucks and try to order food and see if anyone could understand me with a mouthful of plastic.
And then the first time the cast saw me was when I ride down the hill and I am up on the hill about to go down, and I’m riding this suicide shift with a rubber ducky that I can’t touch. So I’m underneath it with my two little fingers trying to thread it. I borrowed the makeup lady’s glasses, which were pink, and I thought they were cool, and I put ‘em on. The AD, says, Go. And I go, Wait, are these prescriptions? And she goes, Yeah. And I’m like, Okay. So I can’t really see what I’m doing. And then I came off and they’re all sitting on a bench, and that’s how I introduced myself, and that’s the first time they saw me. So it was kind of an experiment.
You have such extensive experience riding motorcycles on film and in your personal life. Can you talk to me about getting to ride these choppers from this era?
Norman Reedus: Yeah, they’re different. I have a chopper. I have an older chopper than this, but it’s more of a chopper chopper. It’s a 46 knucklehead, and it’s super loud. It’s smaller, and it’s lighter, but it’s a chopper. These bikes, they’re heavy, they don’t have disc brakes, so they don’t stop on a dime. They roll to a stop. On the throttle, they don’t have kickback throttle.
So once you give it gas, you have to un-give it gas to actually not flood the engine or stop. Otherwise, it’ll just keep reving. So there’s a trick to riding, especially with the suicide shift. I think I’m the only one that had a suicide shift. Those are harder. But yeah, I’ve ridden bikes for a long time, but I was still terrified. Especially not being able to see what I’m doing.
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Norman Reedus: That it’s happening. There’s sort of a rough outline of a script. The opening sequence, I think they’re keeping from that rough outline because it’s crazy. It’s crazy. It’s basically the boys breaking out of prison. That’s how it starts.
About The Bikeriders
The Bikeriders captures a rebellious time in America when the culture and people were changing. After a chance encounter at a local bar, strong-willed Kathy (Jodie Comer) is inextricably drawn to Benny (Austin Butler), the newest member of the Midwestern motorcycle club, the Vandals led by the enigmatic Johnny (Tom Hardy). Much like the country around it, the club begins to evolve, transforming from a gathering place for local outsiders into a dangerous underworld of violence, forcing Benny to choose between Kathy and his loyalty to the club.
The Bikeriders
Cast
The Bikeriders is a 2024 drama exploring the turbulent relationship between Kathy and Benny, a member of the Vandals motorcycle club. As the club delves into violence, Benny faces a critical choice between staying with Kathy and his allegiance to the club.
