The Bikeriders delves into the rise of a Midwest biker gang, detailing the dangerous allure of a rebellious lifestyle. Director Jeff Nichols drew inspiration from Danny Lyon’s photographic exploration of real-life bikers in the 1960s. Although based on Lyon’s work, the film adds a unique twist by creating its own characters and storyline.
Jeff Nichol’s The Bikeriders aims to capture a realistic portrait of criminally driven motorcycle clubs, the complex mix of the allure of a rebellious lifestyle and the disdain for the violent and illegal actions that fuel their lifestyle. To do this, Nichols, who wrote and directed the film, took inspiration from a famous photography book that chronicled the lives of real-life bikers in the 1960s: Danny Lyon’s 1968 book The Bikeriders.
We will look at Danny Lyon’s legacy, how his work inspired the ensemble crime thriller, and how much of the movie is based on the book of the same name.
Plot and Cast of The Bikeriders
The Bikeriders follows the rise of a midwestern motorcycle club called the “Vandals” over the course of a decade. The gang’s history is told through the lives of various club members. However, it focuses on a reckless biker, Benny (Austin Butler), and his wife, Kathy (Jodie Comer), as they navigate Benny’s growing violent actions and allegiance to the gang leader, Johnny (Tom Hardy). The movie explores the complexities of bike gang culture in a humanizing and fascinating way, drawing influence from the stories of famous photographer Danny Lyon.
The Bikeriders is the 7th feature film by director Jeff Nichols, best known for his work on 2011s Take Shelter and 2012s Mud starring Matthew McConaughey. The biker drama presents an ensemble cast including iconic names such as Tom Hardy, Michael Shannon, and Norman Reedus. Lead actor Austin Butler, as Benny, has appeared in such films as Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood and Dune: Part Two, but his major breakout role came from playing “The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll” in the multi-Oscar nominated movie Elvis (2022). Jodie Comer, who plays Benny’s wife, Kathy, is best known for her roles in The Last Duel, Free Guy, and as Villanelle in the hit TV series Killing Eve.
Danny Lyon’s Work Inspired Director Jeff Nichols
Danny Lyon/Magnum Photos
The Bikeriders is not entirely based on a true story; rather, it draws heavy influence from the book of photography and interviews of the same name by American artist Danny Lyon. Danny Lyon was born in Brooklyn, New York, on March 16, 1942, and grew up in Queens. He started getting involved in cultural issues in 1963 when he became the staff photographer for the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and documented major events during the Civil Rights Movement.
