In 1963, young motorcycle enthusiast Danny Lyon set out to record and glorify the life of the American bikerider. More than 60 years later, his vivid photography documenting the Chicago Outlaws motorcycle club is getting a contemporary makeover for the big screen.
Now in theaters, The Bikeriders—starring Tom Hardy, Austin Butler, Jodie Comer, and Mike Faist—tells the story of the Chicago Vandals, a fictionalized version of the Outlaws and some of their actual members. Inspired by Lyon’s acclaimed 1968 photobook of the same name, the movie examines the Vandals and their transition from a haven for outcasted bikers to something more sinister.
Caught up in this drama are Jodie Comer and Austin Butler’s Kathy and Benny,
a pair of lovers who find each other as the Vandals MC starts to make its way into some tumultuous times. That history comes with an ending that’s pretty open-ended, and both actors have shared some interesting thoughts on the film’s finale.
The Original Inspiration
The Bikeriders tells a fictitious story inspired by actual people, and the biker club to which they belonged. The iconic story captures a slice of America few have seen up close. While influential, Lyon’s book did not provide any direct parallels to Nichols’ film; The Bikeriders is still classified as a wholly ‘original’ work by the WGA.
Performances and Characters
Austin Butler portrays Benny, flashing magnetism as he rides through this motorcycle saga. Butler himself recently shared his passion for biking: It’s just such a great feeling. It really is. It never gets old. I went on a ride two days ago and it’s hard to wipe the smile off your face… You just feel so free and you feel like you’re a part of the world in a different way
. His breakout star status, already cemented by an Oscar-nominated performance in Elvis, finds new depth here.
Narrative Structure
The film chronicles how their relationship is tested by Benny’s ties to the Vandals MC—a Chicago motorcycle club led by Johnny (played by Tom Hardy) that evolves into an organized crime syndicate. Jodie Comer shines as Kathy, encapsulating both vulnerability and strength in her role.
A Decade in the Making
Nichols has been developing the earliest story outlines for nearly a decade. His dedication to capturing this subculture shines through with meticulous detail. Real recordings from Lyon are used in the movie, adding authenticity to the film’s portrayal of biker culture.
The Larger Context
The Outlaws have evolved dramatically since their inception. While The Bikeriders documents the founding and rise of fictional Vandals starting in the 1960s, its inspiration finds roots over 90 years back. Originally formed as the McCook Outlaws Motorcycle Club in 1935 outside Matilda’s Bar in McCook, Illinois, they were part of a wave driven by post-World War II America’s growing thirst for adventure.
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