REVIEW: "Magazine Dreams" (2023)

(Courtesy IMDb) 

WRITER'S NOTE: The following was originally posted on my Facebook page on April 4, 2025. 

By early 2023, up-and-coming actor Jonathan Majors had been receiving numerous accolades for his roles in shows like Lovecraft Country and Loki, as well as films like Creed III and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, the latter of which initially set him up as the antagonistic Kang in two highly-anticipated Avengers movies. In the meantime, Majors headlined this dark drama about a relentless but shy amateur bodybuilder who desires success and notoriety, and the unhealthy lengths he puts himself through (both physically and psychologically) to get there. If anything, Magazine Dreams showcases what an incredible and committed actor he is. 

Elijah Bynum’s sophomore directorial effort first premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival, where it was awarded the Special Jury Prize and received positive acclaim. It was set to be released by Searchlight Pictures later that year, in time for awards season. But then, the film was put on the back burner due to the actors and writers strikes that year, but more specifically because of Majors’ public controversies (namely, accusations of physical assault against his ex-girlfriend at the time). By the end of the year, Searchlight dropped the film from their release calendar entirely.

Last fall, independent company Briarcliff (which backed the well-received Donald Trump biopic The Apprentice) picked up distribution rights for a limited release this spring. Majors, meanwhile, has been slowly making a comeback in recent weeks. 

The film seems to be about loneliness and the need for connection, as well as misguided quests for fame, and the negative effects on the mind, body and soul. Majors’ Killian Maddox is a compelling figure, as he is an intimidating and troubling one. This is a man so full of his own ambitions (posters of bodybuilders cover his bedroom walls) and addictions (he takes steroids), not to mention arrogance, pride, poor social skills and mental traumas (childhood hurts he apparently keeps to himself, while struggling to control his emotions), that he could snap at any moment. Plus, any potential romantic relationships are apparently out of the question (Haley Bennett plays a coworker at the grocery store Killian works at). It’s as if he wants to act out and make everyone he comes across feel his pain. 

This is a heavy and difficult film. Its fascinating yet dark look into the bodybuilding world is more of a backdrop. Ditto references to neighborhood racism, robberies, and shootings. But its harsh character study at the forefront takes a very unsettling and disturbing turn in its last act, with Killian slowly giving himself away to desires of the flesh, as well as violent rages, self-harm, and even murderous fantasies (including suicide). 

Majors really poured himself into this role. And it shows. His performance recalls elements of Robert DeNiro in Raging Bull (as well as Taxi Driver), Mickey Rourke in The Wrestler, and Miles Teller in Whiplash. To be fair, other characters do worry for Killian, as much as they are afraid of him.  

Aided by composer Jason Hill’s classical score that is equal parts powerful, melancholic, and depressing, Killian’s story is a cautionary tale about the consequences of not seeking help and refusing to get better, and what a lack of kindness does for everybody. His arc also reflects a key passage in the Book of Mark: “What good is it for a man to gain the whole world and yet forfeit his soul?” Again, Majors the person has been showing signs of improvement and getting back into the industry.  

Now, I don’t endorse his reported accusations (including more recent revelations). But I do believe that it is important what he does now and moving forward. And that he surrounds himself with people that can help build him up the right way. As viewers, we can take the advice of Killian’s counselor: “It’s important that you find people you can make an emotional bond with.” How’s that for a reminder that we need people and not just ourselves? 

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