#REVIEW: “MAGAZINE DREAMS”

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Writer-Director Elijah Bynum delivers a gripping character study of an amateur bodybuilder who battles both the limits of his physical body and his inner demons to gain recognition. It follows Killian Maddox (Jonathan Majors) who attempts to make it big as a bodybuilder, while caring for his grandfather in small-town America.

It’s clear from the beginning that Majors has put everything into this role. He completely changes his physical body to resemble one of an amateur bodybuilder. Scenes are abundant — albeit, maybe a few too many — with Killian staring at himself in the mirror and practicing his poses for the next competition. It’s shocking to see the physical transformation Majors’ accomplished. Yet, it isn’t only the physical performance but the emotional one that Majors delivers.

There are a lot of resemblances here to character studies such as Taxi Driver and Joker. We follow someone who does things we would judge, and that we sometimes understand. We see their pain and determination. Bynum allows us to sympathize with the anger inside Killian by giving us a glimpse into his childhood.

While on a date with Jessie (a criminally underused Haley Bennett), a grocery store cashier, Killian discloses his father shot his mother and then turned the gun on himself. This horrific backstory isn’t further touched upon but is always there. We see it in the way Majors’ carries Killian’s trauma. We see it in the pain behind his eyes. In his uncontrollable outbursts of rage. And we see it in his determination for recognition in his sport.

The first and second acts of Magazine Dreams are captivating. We watch the intense lifestyle of an aspiring bodybuilder. Additionally, we get to understand a shy man who is in mental anguish. It quickly runs toward a Third Act that has its heart in the right place, but feels a little wobbly.

Briarcliff Entertainment release MAGAZINE DREAMS on Friday, March 21, 2025.