Magazine Dreams

Wow saw this at Sundance. Honestly had no idea what this was going in. This was intense! Jonathan Majors is great, no surprise there. He is totally believable as Killian, a probably somewhat developmentally disabled amateur bodybuilding competitor. It ranges from cringeworthy to edge of your seat to weird to shocking to horrifying. Such an amazing performance.

The cinematography was claustrophobic and off putting and the music was often jarring, with dramatic shifts that mirror Killian's mental state.

I don't want to give any spoilers, but this wouldn't be one to take your grandma to. It gave me Nightcrawler vibes in the way it just keeps escalating and getting more frantic and surreal, mixed with a little Bullhead. Unless that sounds like something your grandma would be into, in which case, take her, she'll love it!

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.

Magazine Dreams centers on a body builder gripped by ambition, toxic masculinity, and violence. Jonathan Majors shines in Magazine Dreams for nearly every frame of this film, well-suited by bringing his even-more-buff body builder physique with the talent to bring the complex vulnerability and intensity to the Killian Maddox character. Because of the directions of this film, it's a difficult watch. As mentioned in the Sundance Q&A by writer:director Elijah Bynum, the movie rides the edge in keeping the audience's empathy for the character. Undoubtedly it may be a push too far for some viewers. There are a lot of ideas in this film, some of which feel tonally off or extraneous to the core, but it's impossible to look away from this movie.

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.

Killian Maddox dedicated himself to bodybuilding and dreams of one day leaving his mark on the sport and the world. With a traumatic childhood and struggling to connect with others, Killian forges forward toward his goal with reckless abandonment.

This movie takes a very artistic approach to bodybuilding. The story has many different things occurring quickly, with little backstory given to the protagonist, making it a challenge to follow. The two-hour and four-minute runtime is wild, from intense lifting to posing to twists and unexpected turns. This movie is not for everyone but might be worth a stream for someone looking for something different and artistic.