PHOTO BY KYLE KAPLAN / FOCUS FEATURES

There’s no illusion of grandeur in “The Bikeriders,” a movie that appreciably resists the urge to cast itself as a postmodern epic. A tale of pointless power struggles in an aimless motorcycle club, the film is quick to admit that its drama is ultimately motivated by nothing; when Johnny (Tom Hardy) suggests forming a club, neither he nor his fellow bikers can explain why.

The formation of the fictional Vandals MC — loosely based on the Outlaws MC, the club that came to dominate midwestern biker culture in the mid-20th century — is presented as just something some chopper aficionados decide to do. That roster includes Johnny, a reluctant kingpin with the capacity for cold-blooded violence, as well as Benny (Austin Butler), a dim drifter who steals the heart of nominal protagonist Kathy (Jodie Comer).

Most of the film is narrated in a series of flashbacks by Kathy, speaking to aspiring journalist Danny (Mike Faist). She recounts the travails of the Outlaws with a mixture of exasperation and bemusement, spurned by Benny’s devotion to the club but understanding of its appeal — the camaraderie and lawless fun.

That spirit will eventually dissipate, as order gives way to chaos and posturing menace turns over to chilling violence. “The Bikeriders” is not gruesome, but it is unflinching; the brawls and bar fights are not presented as mere machismo but as painful and scary realities of a world that attracts those who polite society has left out.

“The Bikeriders” is the sixth feature by quiet auteur Jeff Nichols, who focuses his camera (and scripts, he’s also the screenwriter) on curious corners of society, well embodied here by actor Michael Shannon, Nichols’ constant collaborator, who gives a captivating performance. This is certainly an apt subject; it’s easy to get swept up in both the story and the world of the film. Unfortunately, the frame story works against the film’s momentum. Comer gives a great performance, but I wasn’t convinced that the wraparound story and flashbacks did much for the film overall — which might’ve been more enchanting as a straight (and short) narrative.

Fortunately, the performances more than make up for the somewhat uneven pacing. Hardy, always a font of potential menace, gives a brilliant performance; his every movement is compelling. Butler does his best James Dean, bringing inner life to a tricky character. It’s not quite a classic, but it plays very well in an unusual key.

My Rating: 8/10

“The Bikeriders” is now playing in theaters.