One film that created a lot of buzz at the Sundance Film Festival in 2023 was Elijah Bynum’s Magazine Dreams, which stars Jonathan Majors in the lead role. Although the film garnered positive reviews at the time of its screening, it later became entangled in controversy due to allegations against Majors, which overshadowed its initial acclaim and sparked widespread industry debate. The movie was slated to release in December 2023, but Searchlight Pictures removed the title from its release calendar. Later, the distributor dropped the film in response to the controversies regarding its lead actor. For almost two years, the film didn’t see the light and was looking for a distributor. Finally, Briarcliff Entertainment jumped in and acquired the film for a theatrical release. Now, two years after its first screening, Magazine Dreams is finally releasing and it’s one of those movies that gives viewers an unflinching look at ambition, loneliness, and the dark side of the pursuit of greatness.
The film chronicles the journey of Killian Maddox (Jonathan Majors), a deeply troubled amateur bodybuilder struggling to leave a lasting legacy. He idolizes Brad Vanderhorn (Michael O’Hearn), a famous bodybuilder featured on magazine covers. Hoping to get noticed, he sends Brad letters and voicemails regularly. At the same time, Killian tries to form connections in his personal life. He has a crush on Jessie (Haley Bennett), a cashier, but his intense personality pushes her away. He also struggles to protect his grandfather’s interests, but his efforts only leave him bruised and beaten. Killian’s obsession with bodybuilding leads him down a dangerous path. He takes excessive testosterone to maintain his physique, which results in liver tumors. However, he refuses surgery because the scars could hurt his chances of competing.
When he finally meets his hero, Brad, he realizes the man isn’t what he expected. Whenever Killian faces a setback, his response is extreme—he always claims he will crack open someone’s skull and drink their brains. But as his world starts to crumble, he is forced to face the harsh reality of his choices. While focusing on his journey, Bynum crafts an intense, unsettling narrative that examines masculinity, mental health, and the consequences of single-minded obsession.
A Haunting Portrait of Mental Struggle and Body Image
Haley Bennett in a still from ‘Magazine Dreams’ (Photo Courtesy: Briarcliff Entertainment)
Magazine Dreams is a trippy title for a movie that isn’t glamorous. Whenever someone hears this title, they believe that this film might show the glamorous side of bodybuilding as well. However, there’s hardly any glamour in it. At its core, the film is a shattering examination of mental health and the lengths to which someone will go to be seen. The struggles faced by Killian, along with anger, anxiety, and social alienation, make him both sympathetic and terrifying. One aspect that makes the movie such a riveting watch is how it doesn’t shy away from exploring the ugly realities of organic and untreated mental illness, nor does it offer easy resolutions. Instead, it comes forward with a man’s story who is trapped in a cycle of self-destruction, unable to break free from the expectations he has set for himself.
Meanwhile, Bynum also critiques the toxic culture surrounding masculinity and body image. Killian’s obsession with physical perfection is fueled by an industry that glorifies size and strength while neglecting the mental toll it takes. His refusal to undergo surgery for his liver tumors—because the scar would ruin his body—perfectly encapsulates his distorted priorities.
Cinematographer Adam Arkapaw enhances the film’s bleak tone with a striking visual palette. The camera lingers on Killian’s body in ways that emphasize both his strength and his isolation. Extreme close-ups highlight the toll of his intense training—the scars, the sweat, the veins bulging with each flex. One of the film’s most arresting sequences occurs when Killian tries to record a tutorial about how to become a bodybuilder, where the camera moves almost hypnotically, capturing his physical grandeur juxtaposed with his growing sense of unease. That entire sequence is not easy to watch and makes people wonder about the character’s unstable mind.
Jonathan Majors Delivers a Hauntingly Raw Performance
A still from ‘Magazine Dreams’ (Photo Courtesy: Briarcliff Entertainment)
Even though the film has a very intriguing story to tell, it is Jonathan Majors’ performance that makes Magazine Dreams such a brilliant film. He delivers one of the most transformative performances in recent memory. His portrayal of Killian is raw, emotionally grueling, and profoundly immersive. From his physical transformation—an imposing, sculpted physique that mirrors his character’s relentless pursuit of perfection—to the quiet, vulnerable moments that reveal the depths of Killian’s suffering, Majors completely inhabits the role. His eyes flicker between hope, desperation, and simmering rage, creating a character that is as compelling as he is tragic. He embodies a man who craves recognition yet struggles with social connection, a dreamer who is drowning in his own obsessive tendencies.
Whether he is leaving desperate voicemails for his idol, Brad Vanderhorn (Michael O’Hearn), or awkwardly attempting to connect with Jessie (Haley Bennett), Majors ensures that every moment feels painfully real. It is a performance that demands attention, and it is difficult to imagine anyone else pulling it off with such ferocity and nuance.
Is Magazine Dreams worth watching?
Magazine Dreams was not an easy film to review. Not because of its narrative, but what happened between the film got premiered at Sundance and its theatrical release. A lot of people told me not to review this flick because it might trigger a negative response from a lot of people. But, as a critic, it’s my responsibility to watch a movie for every person who has worked on it. Majors deserved to be applauded for his work. But most importantly, every person or crew member who was a part of this film should also get a chance to showcase their work to the world. And they have done a splendid job of stitching a story that is not just heartbreaking, but also very essential.
While Magazine Dreams may not be for everyone due to its intense subject matter and deliberate pacing, it is a masterfully crafted film that leaves a lasting impression. It is a haunting reminder that the pursuit of greatness can sometimes come at an unbearable cost.
Magazine Dreams is scheduled to hit theatres on March 21.
