Tom Hardy’s ‘The Bikeriders’ Blasts to the Top of Streaming Charts on Max

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Tom Hardy and the genre “crime” make a seamless pairing in the world of cinema. Throughout his rising acting career, Hardy has graced our screens with numerous crime-themed performances, such as those in “Peaky Blinders,” “Legend,” “Bronson,” “RocknRolla,” and even “Inception.” Recently, he revisited the 1960s as the creator of a burgeoning biker gang in Chicago for Jeff Nichols’ hit film, titled “The Bikeriders.” It’s currently generating quite a buzz on streaming platforms.

As I pen this review, it’s clear that “The Bikeriders” is the standout film on Max this week. This gritty drama boasts an impressive ensemble cast, including Austin Butler, Jodie Comer, Michael Shannon, Mike Faist, Boyd Holbrook, and Norman Reedus. Interestingly, Faist portrays Danny Lyon, the real-life photographer whose work inspired the film’s creation.

“The Bikeriders” offers a gripping account of the Vandals, a motorcycle club modeled after the Outlaws Motorcycle Club, as we witness their transformation from a group of bike enthusiasts to a full-blown gang. The narrative unfolds primarily through the perspective of Kathy, played by Comer, with her interviews with Lyon serving as a voiceover for the on-screen action.

In essence, “The Bikeriders” is a captivating tale that delves deep into the world of outlaw motorcycle clubs, drawing inspiration from the raw and authentic photography book of the same name by Danny Lyon.

Following an unexpected meeting, Kathy finds herself captivated by Benny, who belongs to the Midwestern motorcycle gang known as the Vandals. As the gang gradually morphs into a menacing underworld of brutality, Benny is faced with a tough decision: choosing between his feelings for Kathy and his allegiance to the club.

2023 saw the release of “The Bikeriders”, a movie that resonated with critics, earning an impressive 80% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It was also well-received by audiences, garnering a 74% audience score. While it scored decent reviews from critics like MovieWeb (who gave it a 4/5), unfortunately, the film didn’t make much of an impact at the box office, managing only $35 million during its theatrical run. However, I’m thrilled to report that this movie’s engines have roared again on streaming platforms, finding the recognition and appreciation it truly deserved.

‘The Bikeriders’ Scores 10/10 for Realism

Besides being an engrossing movie, “The Bikeriders” delves into the moral journey of the Vandals Motorcycle Club and offers a highly authentic portrayal of biker lifestyle. In fact, Pat Matter, a former head of the Hells Angels motorcycle club chapter, found a scene from the film strikingly realistic when shown it for evaluation. He rated the scene a perfect 10/10. Not only was the scene convincing, but the event depicted on-screen had actually occurred to someone Matter knew personally. In his own words:

A bomb, believed to be one of the top three largest ever found on U.S. soil, was discovered near a clubhouse. A member of mine from Minnesota was in the area, and I was concerned about his safety since I remember this incident vividly. I reached out to find out if he was safe, and fortunately, he was. Thankfully, no one was harmed, but it was certainly a significant event. Given that it actually occurred and I personally witnessed it, I’d rate it as a 10 [out of 10] on the impact scale.

At present, “The Bikeriders” is airing on Max. Although it may lack the grandiose, filmic aesthetics found in some of Hardy’s other renowned crime epics, “The Bikeriders” is definitely worthy of your brief attention.

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2025-02-20 16:34