Simmering Rage and Real-Life Shadows in “Magazine Dreams”
Jonathan Majors delivers a powerful performance as Killian Maddox, an amateur bodybuilder consumed by inner turmoil, in the dark and stylized film “Magazine Dreams.”
A Modern “Taxi Driver” Exploring Mental Illness and Isolation
Drawing comparisons to “Taxi Driver” for the incel era, the film presents a stark depiction of untreated mental health issues, violence, misguided role models, steroid use, and male solitude. From its premiere, “Magazine Dreams” offered substantial material for analysis. However, discussions surrounding the film have been overshadowed by the real-life legal challenges faced by its lead actor, Majors, who was convicted of assaulting a former girlfriend.
From Oscar Buzz to Distribution Uncertainty
In January 2023, “Magazine Dreams” appeared poised for success, with Oscar predictions for Majors. Searchlight Pictures secured distribution rights, reportedly surpassing bids from Neon and Sony Pictures Classics. Majors’ career was also ascending, marked by prominent roles in “Creed III” and his casting as Kang, Marvel’s central antagonist. However, in March of the same year, Majors was arrested. By December, he was found guilty of misdemeanor assault and harassment and subsequently dismissed by Marvel. The following month, “Magazine Dreams” lost its distribution deal. Majors has consistently maintained his innocence throughout these events.
Briarcliff Entertainment Acquires Distribution
Ultimately, Briarcliff Entertainment, the distributor that released the controversial young Donald Trump biopic “The Apprentice,” acquired “Magazine Dreams.” “The Apprentice” later garnered Oscar nominations for its lead actors.
Film’s Stigma and Uncomfortable Viewing Experience
“Magazine Dreams,” however, carries a different kind of burden. This review itself has been somewhat eclipsed by Majors’ personal controversies. The film centers on a character on the precipice of violence, driven by a relentless ambition for greatness. Watching his downward spiral is undeniably unsettling.
Obsession and Misguided Goals
Killian’s unwavering dedication to a singular, unattainable goal may lead to his downfall in an indifferent world. This film is far from an ideal project for an actor seeking a public relations redemption. Nevertheless, Majors’ commanding and intense performance is undeniable, showcasing a complete physical transformation and a disturbing ability to convey the underlying pain behind his character’s psychopathic behavior.
A Life of Quiet Desperation
Killian’s existence is far from glamorous. He is employed at a grocery store and cares for his aging grandfather at home. However, he harbors a desperate, almost obsessive, need for recognition and remembrance. He believes that physical perfection is the sole path to achieving this, narrowly equating success with magazine covers and a naive notion of immortality.
Social Awkwardness and Misplaced Priorities
When his coworker Jessie (Haley Bennett), in a subtle but effective performance, agrees to a date, Killian is genuinely astonished that she is unfamiliar with his bodybuilding idol, uttering something to the effect of, “you need to get out more.”
Stylized Intensity and Growing Unease
Writer-director Elijah Bynum constructs a film with a palpable sense of stylized intensity. From the outset, a feeling of unease and captivation takes hold, even as viewers initially attempt to empathize with Killian and hope for his success, perhaps in the hope it might maintain a semblance of calm. Despite early indications of violent episodes through his court-mandated therapy sessions, the full extent of Killian’s instability becomes apparent as Jessie recognizes the urgent need to distance herself. This realization occurs notably after Killian orders an exorbitant amount of protein on their date, roughly $500 worth, solely for himself. Regrettably, the film withholds the visual of the bill.
Provocation and Bleakness
While “Magazine Dreams” functions as a compelling character study that many actors would embrace for its dramatic range, it also appears deliberately designed to provoke and shock, particularly in its relentlessly bleak final act. After multiple viewings, including one interrupted by a violent outburst scene, the film’s intended message regarding masculinity, trauma, or steroid-induced aggression remains unclear. Killian often feels less like a nuanced individual and more like a simplistic representation of the overlooked and alienated figure who resorts to extreme violence.
Ambiguity and Unresolved Discomfort
In an era where films are often criticized for excessive simplicity and overt moralizing, perhaps a degree of ambiguity, discomfort, and unresolved unpleasantness is welcome. Majors delivers a powerful performance, and Bynum’s directing demonstrates considerable promise. The central question surrounding “Magazine Dreams,” pertinent in both January 2023 and March 2025, remains: Will audiences embrace it?
Film Rating and Details
- Release: In theaters Friday
- Distributor: Briarcliff Entertainment
- Rating: R (Motion Picture Association) for “violent content, drug use, sexual material, nudity and language.”
- Runtime: 104 minutes
- Star Rating: Two and a half stars out of four