Warning: This post contains spoilers for The Bikeriders.
Summary
The Bikeriders' ambiguous ending gets some clarity from director Jeff Nichols and Jodie Comer (Kathy). Inspired by Danny Lyon’s photobook, which followed a motorcycle club in the mid-1960s, the movie explores a romance between a member of the Vandals Motorcycle Club and a fairly regular Midwestern woman.The Bikeridersopened to strong reviewsand a $10 million take in its opening weekend. Yet, while many have enjoyed the atypical period piece, its confusing ending has been raising questions.
Nichols has been taking the opportunity to offer some clarity, but he is still fairly happy about the confusion. In an interview withEntertainment Weekly, Nichols and Comer spoke out about Benny’s future with Kathy and where their relationship will go. Nichols expects that the two will drift apart, but Comer and Nichols both agree thatthe ambiguous ending leaves room for audiences to decide for themselves. Check out their responses below:
NICHOLS:[Do they stick together?] Probably not. The truth is, that’s why I like the ending. He’s smiling. She’s smiling. I don’t think she believes everything she’s saying at the end of the film. And he’s definitely hearing that call of those motorcycles. The truth is you don’t know, and I’m good with that, but I think they know, and probably we know as an audiencethat is tenuous ground that they’re standing on. The film very much leaves it open to interpretation, and if people want to walk out of the theater and think, ‘Oh, she got Austin Butler and now they get to live happily after,’ if that’s what they need in their life, then that’s what they can have.
COMER:Something that really stuck with me when I watched the film the other night at the L.A. premiere was this line where she says, ‘You hang out with these guys enough, it changes you. You start acting like them.’ And you know what? That really stuck with me because I thought, ‘Oh wow, I wonder where she went?’ Because I think that’s true. There was so much violence and disruption and heartache and crying, that felt like a very honest moment for her. So, I’m curious to know where that led.
NICHOLS:Kathy and Benny had a son, and he showed up to the box office when we were going to premiere at the Chicago International Film Festival and gave us a letter. We gave that to Danny Lyon and he’s gone to interview him. So the story is unfolding and it’s going to be pretty fascinating, I think, to see who does come out of the woodwork.
The Bikeriders' Ending Is Completely Ambiguous
Kathy And Benny May Not Last
Throughout the movie, Benny is a deeply serious character. He is often little more than an ever-scowling figure, reluctantly clinging to his club, and looking for a path forward. It is only after settling down with KathyduringThe Bikeriders' endingthat Benny finally grins. Unfortunately, while Kathy is smiling about their future,Benny is simply smiling at the sound of revving motorcycles. It’s a sign that they are not on the same page at all, which could have horrific implications for the future of their relationship.
Their stark motivations undoubtedly are part of the reason that Nichols believes that the two could never live the rest of their lives together. Another is thatthe real Kathy and Bennymay not have had their happy ending. The real-world Kathy died sometime beforethe movie’s release, and Benny is still alive and working as a mechanic. Although Benny always lived a more dangerous life, he outlived Kathy.They did spend many years living togetherin Florida, however, which contradicts the idea that the movie proves their incompatibility.
The Bikeriders' True Story & Real-Life Inspiration Explained
Tom Hardy and Austin Butler’s crime drama The Bikeriders is based on a true story, using a very well-researched, immersive book as inspiration.
Because of the ambiguous ending, viewers can decide for themselves if the fictional version of the pair actually work out. It is unlikely that there will ever be a sequel, given its ending, and Nichols is happy to leave audiences to think about the conclusion. If Kathy and Benny are truly unable to enjoy a long-term relationship, then Benny will likely return to life on the road. Otherwise, they may go on to have a long relationship with a child, just asThe Bikeriders' real-world inspirations did.
The Bikeriders
Cast
The Bikeriders is a 2024 drama exploring the turbulent relationship between Kathy and Benny, a member of the Vandals motorcycle club. As the club delves into violence, Benny faces a critical choice between staying with Kathy and his allegiance to the club.
