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.

I had been wanting to see Magazine Dreams for a very long time, ever since hearing it described by my favorite movie podcasters who caught it on the festival circuit a couple years ago. I had no idea it had been picked up for theatrical distribution, so its seemingly sudden appearance completely took me by surprise.

Jonathan Majors's performance as Killian Maddox, an aspiring yet struggling bodybuilder, is truly next level here. Killian is a fractured man, at moments childlike and charming, at others he's like a pot of water boiling over. This can make him unpredictable scene to scene. Easily the most effective scene was his dinner date with the girl from the supermarket. Talk about a cringe moment!

My feelings are most mixed about the script, with my main complaint being it that it doesn't seem to know when to quit. There are multiple moments where I was certain the story was close to conclusion, that it was building to a moment, yet only to further continue in layering misery on thick. I found this exhausting. When the movie finally does conclude I don't know if I find the resolution entirely believable for Killian's character.

I like the movie enough to recommend, but keep in mind this can be a dark, dark film.

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.

Jonathan Majors is incredible in this. His performance is so powerful, it pulls you in and makes you really feel what his character is going through. There are a bunch of scenes that hit hard emotionally, and it's all because of how committed he is.

The movie dives into some really heavy and complex themes, and when it works, it really works. But the last act gets a bit messy. It tries to cover too much at once, especially when it comes to unpacking such a complicated and violent character. It feels like the movie loses focus a bit near the end.

Still, it's absolutely worth watching for Majors alone and the bold ideas it tries to explore.

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.