The Bikeriders Is Pure, Unapologetic Americana

Director Jeff Nichols’s new film, The Bikeriders, is more than just another entry in the “bros hanging out” subgenre, which traces its roots to classics such as Rio Bravo. With a powerhouse ensemble cast, meticulous attention to detail, and stunning cinematography, the film captures and revitalizes the iconography of a bygone era without belittling the men who defined it.

Based on photojournalist Danny Lyon’s 1968 book of the same name, The Bikeriders chronicles the Vandals, a Midwest motorcycle club led by Johnny (Tom Hardy, reminding us why he’s one of the finest actors of his generation) and Benny (Austin Butler, exuding the charisma of movie gods).