Just saw 'The Bikeriders' - Thoughts from a Mom's Perspective!

Okay, so I just got back from seeing 'The Bikeriders,' and I'm still processing. First off, Austin Butler...wow. Like, seriously, the whole 'Benny brooding and silent' thing? Worked for me. But more importantly, it made me think (as a parent, naturally) about loyalty and belonging, and when those things can get seriously twisted. Kathy (Jodie Comer) was fascinating – you could really feel her struggle watching the club, and Benny, go down a darker path. There's a scene where she's trying to talk Benny into leaving, and honestly, my heart was breaking for her. You just knew he was trapped by something bigger than just motorcycles. It's definitely not a 'family movie night' kinda flick, let's be clear. There's violence, and some language that probably isn't appropriate for younger kids. But I think for older teens (maybe 16+ with some serious parental guidance?), it could spark some interesting conversations about choices, consequences, and the allure of counter-culture. I did find myself wishing they'd fleshed out some of the other characters in the Vandals a bit more. They felt kinda...there? Like background noise sometimes. But overall, I thought it was pretty gripping. Tom Hardy was great as Johnny, the leader. He had this weird, almost tragic energy about him. He knew that things were going bad, and i think he was too stubborn to do anything about it. I think it could have some interesting deeper messeges about change through societal shift, but I think it was largely glossed over. I think the real point of this film was love and being a good person in a world that seems to just want to rip you apart. So, yeah, 'The Bikeriders'... worth seeing? I think so. Just be prepared for some heavy themes and maybe a little bit of that 'thinking about my kids' safety' anxiety every parent loves. Anyone else seen it yet? Would love to hear your thoughts!