Austin Butler on The Bikeriders

Riding into Australian theatres this week, THE BIKERIDERS captures a rebellious time in America when the culture and people were changing. After a chance encounter at a local bar, strong-willed Kathy (Jodie Comer) is inextricably drawn to Benny (Austin Butler), the newest member of Midwestern motorcycle club, the Vandals led by the enigmatic Johnny (Tom Hardy). Much like the country around it, the club begins to evolve, transforming from a gathering place for local outsiders into a dangerous underworld of violence, forcing Benny to choose between Kathy and his loyalty to the club.

To celebrate the film’s local release, Peter Gray spoke with Oscar nominated star Austin Butler during his visit to coincide with The Bikeriders premiering at the Sydney Film Festival, touching on his friendship with co-star Tom Hardy, if his perception of motorcycle culture was altered during filming, and how he had to remind himself to stay in character during the riding sequences.