Jodie Comer hopes audiences connect with her real-life inspired role in 'The Bikeriders'

Jodie Comer, 31, both narrates and acts in the crime drama, taking on the role of Kathy, a woman deeply entwined with the culture of a 1960s motorcycle club in Illinois.

Written and directed by Jeff Nichols, The Bikeriders draws inspiration from Danny Lyons’ book of the same name.

Lyons, an American photographer, interviewed Kathy Bauer, the mother and wife of a rider, whose life and experiences form the basis of the film.

In the movie, Kathy’s husband Benny, played by American actor Austin Butler, faces a heart-wrenching decision between his wife and his loyalty to the Vandals biking club.

At the film’s UK premiere outside the Curzon in Mayfair, London,

Credit: PA. Jodie Comer at the Olivier Awards 2023

Jodie Comer said:

“I think the most daunting aspect was just how larger than life she was and I really wanted to do her justice. I think the narration was definitely something I’ve never done before and I feel that sometimes warrants a different type of performance or storytelling, so that was quite an interesting aspect to work that through with Jeff and figure out what we needed in particular moments.

“When I heard the audio of Kathy I immediately leant in and I wanted to know more and I wanted the audience to have that similar effect when they watched it.”

Dressed in a striking burgundy dress with a corset-style top, Jodie posed alongside Tom Hardy, who sported a leather jacket for his role as Johnny, the leader of the Vandals.

Elvis star Austin Butler, dressed in a sharp three-piece suit.

Tom Hardy attends a gala screening of The Bikeriders, at the Curzon Mayfair, London. Picture date: Tuesday June 11, 2024. Credit: PA

Austin said:

“My character Benny, he is a mystery in the book, you never see his face and he was never interviewed so I felt that there was a lot of room for me to fill in who I believed he was.”

Director Jeff Nichols emphasised the film’s exploration of the harsh realities of biker life.

Jeff Nichols said:

“If you look at the structure of the film, there’s violence in the first half of the film, which is somewhat romanticised. (The violence) in the second half is fairly cruel and that’s the important part. If you just have the first hour this would be a film glamorising violence, nobody wants that, nobody needs that, the world doesn’t need that. If you take the two parts as the whole I think it says ‘Here are the consequences of choosing to live this kind of life’.”

The Bikeriders is set to hit UK cinemas on June 21.