Magazine Dreams

This is one of those films one should be prepped for an intense experience and I'd compare it to Tom Hardy in Bronson or Deniro in Taxi Driver.

The main reason to see this film is the star Jonathan Majors that carries this film beyond the obvious Art imitates Life which is sad because the guy can act.

The subject and plot is all over the place on this twisted journey but it's worth it.

The director Elijah Bynum is definitely talented even if the plot meanders it still keeps one bolted to your chair witnessing vast layers of body obsession, mental illness, child abuse and steroids abuse but much like downward spiral films like Bad Lieutenant there is a point to this mad journey.

The dream hallucinations mixed with violent reality creates a bizarre scenery that might feel scattered to some yet this director has talent. And Jonathan Majors carries this film along with deep emotional expressions with eye and vocal detail that makes one either believe this is his true self or one heck of an acting job.

Hopefully this actor gets his personal issues in check and balances his anger as he might be the next Tom Hardy / Denzel Washington.

Go into the film with some expectations of a wild emotional rollercoaster ride as it's definitely not light weight film.

Very curious to see what this director does next as he seems to have a talent for attracting great actors esp his last film Hot Summer nights with Timothee Chalamet and Maika Monroe was also well done.

7 stars for star actor.

Initially, Magazine Dreams (2023) drew my attention as a bodybuilding film. Little did I realize that bodybuilding is not what this movie is about. Instead, it is a grim narrative on the dangers of loneliness. Killian Maddox (Jonathan Majors) is a bodybuilder with intense aspirations of becoming a revered "Mr. Olympia", willing to go to extreme lengths to achieve this goal. Unfortunately, his troubled youth and his declining mental state hinder his progress and send him on a path to utter madness. Maddox only has one person in his life that he truly loves: his grandfather. Other than that, he has no friends, and no (successful) love interests either. Due to his growing loneliness, he tries to write to his hero, Brad Vanderhorn, but is ignored by him too. This film begs a necessary question: How much can a person truly tolerate being alone before they get consumed by their obsessions and thoughts? The answer that the film provides is quite dark, but also representative of what it means to be human.

Hear me out-Jonathan Majors might just be the best thing to happen to Black Hollywood since Denzel Washington. The man is seriously gifted. He can act, he has the physical presence, he's versatile, and most importantly-he's never boring. I honestly can't think of another Black American actor right now who can command the screen the way he does.

In this movie, Majors took a relatively simple script and turned it into a gripping, edge-of-your-seat experience. Every scene was hauntingly captivating. The director did a great job maintaining suspense, constantly shifting the tone and direction. What started off as a bodybuilding tale of grit and determination turned into a revenge drama-and then escalated into something way darker. It was intense.

I genuinely don't understand why Jonathan isn't landing all the top-tier Black roles. Compared to some of his peers like Anthony Mackie or Michael B. Jordan, he brings a different level of depth and complexity. He deserves way more recognition.

The only thing that held back this incredible performance was the script itself. After building so much tension and anticipation, the climax completely fell flat. All that buildup, all that powerful acting-only for it to lead nowhere. It felt like a major disservice to both Jonathan Majors and the audience.

What can I say , movies to me are meant to take me out of reality and transport me into other worlds as I escape my own issues and problems , not to mention battles with reality.

That being the case this movie does just that although it specifically took me into a place that mad me very uncomfortable not in a bad way just in a way that I wanted a lil more payoff that I feel I didn't get .

Majors does a great job carrying this weight around and giving ,I believe an honest and compelling performance. It just needed a tiny bit more action at certain spots that could have taken this movie to the next level . Again a worth while movie theater experience.

What an incredible journey this film takes you on. It's one of those rare cinematic experiences that manages to surprise, challenge, and move you - all while telling a deeply personal and character-driven story. This is not your typical sports movie. It's a raw, emotional, and honest portrayal of what it really means to chase greatness. The highs and lows, the ego and insecurity, the pressure, the silence, and ultimately - the cost.

At the center of it all is Jonathan Majors, delivering what is arguably the best performance of his career so far. He completely transforms for this role, not just physically, but emotionally. He embodies a man who is both incredibly gifted and painfully flawed - and it's that duality that makes his performance so captivating. You can feel the weight he carries in every glance, in every breath. He doesn't just act - he becomes the character.

From the opening scenes, the film establishes a tone that feels both intimate and intense. It's not a flashy, feel-good sports drama with choreographed triumphs and a tidy redemption arc. Instead, it takes its time exploring the mental and emotional space of someone who has been built up to be exceptional - and is now unraveling under that weight. The storytelling is nuanced, and the character development is rich. There are twists and turns, but they're not thrown in for shock value. They reflect the internal chaos of a man torn between legacy, identity, and his own destructive habits.

One of the things I appreciated most is how original and grounded the script felt. It would've been easy to fall into formulaic patterns, but this story refuses to do that. It's not a documentary, but it carries the emotional truth of one. It feels like a realistic blend of many athletes' experiences - the pressure to perform, the fear of irrelevance, the search for meaning beyond the sport. It's a fictional story, but it reflects a very real world of complex, high-performing individuals whose personal struggles often go unseen.

The message here is powerful: greatness doesn't come without sacrifice - and sometimes that sacrifice is your peace, your relationships, even your sense of self. But within that message is also something hopeful - the idea that redemption is possible, but only when you stop performing and start facing yourself honestly.

The visual storytelling is excellent. The cinematography manages to capture both the brutal physicality of the sport and the quiet, reflective moments that shape the character's internal journey. The soundtrack is subtle but effective, complementing the emotional beats without overplaying them. The direction is smart - confident without being heavy-handed, allowing the story and the performances to breathe.

Majors' performance is undeniably the anchor, but the supporting cast deserves recognition as well. Each character adds a layer of texture to the protagonist's life - from the strained relationships to the people who challenge him to change. These dynamics deepen the emotional stakes and keep the film grounded in reality.

Ultimately, this is a film for anyone who has ever chased a big dream - especially those who've discovered that success can be both exhilarating and isolating. It speaks to the athletes, the performers, the high achievers, and anyone who's ever struggled with identity in the shadow of ambition. It's a mirror, a warning, and a source of motivation all at once.

I was genuinely and pleasantly surprised. I came in expecting a solid sports drama - but I got something so much richer. A psychological portrait. A cautionary tale. A meditation on self-worth, ego, and the search for purpose. And above all, a reminder that behind every legend is a human being - messy, complicated, and searching.

Thank you to the filmmakers for telling a story that doesn't shy away from the hard truths. And thank you to Jonathan Majors for a performance that will stay with me for a long time. This film doesn't just entertain - it resonates. It makes you think, reflect, and, if you've ever aimed for something big, it might even make you feel seen.

Highly recommended. Not just for sports fans, but for anyone who's ever dared to want more - and wrestled with what that truly means.