Magazine Dreams Is a Punishing Experience

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In the film, we find ourselves anticipating moments of violence from the protagonist, Killian Maddox, portrayed by Jonathan Majors. The movie subtly hints at this potential violence early on, in a scene where Killian meets with a counselor, Harriet Sansom Harris. It’s evident that Killian is unwillingly there, as shown by his discomfort and curt responses. The counselor clarifies their sessions are mandatory if he wishes to continue caring for his ailing grandfather (Harrison Page).

The counselor brings up Killian’s migraines and hallucinations where he hears his deceased mother’s voice, as well as his history of aggression, which includes a recent hospital incident involving threats towards the nursing staff. In response, Killian shifts the conversation to living in a food desert, needing to drive six miles for fresh produce. He comments on the lack of grocery stores and the abundance of unhealthy food, suggesting it’s deliberate.

Despite his meticulous diet, Killian disregards the harmful effects of the steroids causing liver tumors, or the cocaine that exacerbates his anger issues. However, Elijah Bynum’s film suggests that solitude is a natural fit for the bodybuilding lifestyle, much like nesting dolls.

The film titled “Magazine Dreams” can be seen as a modern-day equivalent of “Taxi Driver” for individuals focusing on physical enhancement, but it’s so deliberately uncomfortable that viewing it in one go feels as challenging as the lifestyle portrayed in the movie. Some may choose to avoid it entirely due to its lead actor, Majors, who was convicted of reckless assault against his ex-partner Grace Jabbari and faced additional allegations of abusive behavior. The decision to engage with or distance oneself from an artist’s work based on their past is a personal matter, as the film and television industries seem to have avoided setting clear boundaries, and Majors is one of several actors re-emerging in the mainstream after a period of being perceived as too controversial. However, “Magazine Dreams” – which was initially dropped by Searchlight Pictures, then acquired by Briarcliff Entertainment, a company known for investing in distressed assets – is not a film that can easily be separated from its artist. It centers around a man with an intense devotion to his craft and a volatile temperament, and for those familiar with Majors’s efforts at redemption, it’s hard not to think about the recently leaked audio in which he admits to choking and pushing Jabbari.

It’s challenging not to ponder the extent to which performances like Majors’ in Magazine Dreams are excessively glorified. When this film premiered at Sundance in 2023, it ignited a heated bidding war, primarily centered on the prospect of an Oscar bid for its lead actor who consumed over 6,000 calories daily and exercised thrice to prepare for his role. The pursuit of awards often revolves around tales of Method acting immersion and physical dedication, both evident in Majors’ muscular portrayal of Killian and the frequent grimaces he makes while trying to appear normal. While Majors invested a great deal in this role, the question remains, is it worth it?

Magazine Dreams, though not lacking in skill, was penned and directed by Bynum. The film evokes a hauntingly sparse atmosphere, occasionally disrupted by some captivating dreamlike sequences during Killian’s appearances at shows or competitions. However, the theme remains consistent, repetitively emphasized. From the onset, Killian is already so detached and eccentric, possibly due to his mental health, background, or character, leaving little room for further descent.

In simpler terms, Killian, in his spare time, composes fervent letters to his hero, Brad Vanderhorn (Michael O’Hearn), and watches porn with a discerning eye while consuming protein shakes. The movie, titled Magazine Dreams, hints at Killian’s fixation on the ideal male physique, whether it stems from envy or unfulfilled desires, but leaves this aspect ambiguous. Despite two failed romantic encounters with women portrayed by Haley Bennett and Taylour Paige, Killian’s life appears to be a repetitive cycle of harsh routines punctuated by bursts of anger or sadness. The characters, played by Bynum and Majors, do not invite us into Killian’s psyche; instead, he seems like an insect pinned in a beautifully crafted display case. This film is not interested in exploring the pain of its male protagonist deeply, preferring to focus on the intriguing manifestations of his isolation. Essentially, it serves as a spectacle rather than a meaningful exploration, ultimately suggesting that our only hope lies in people recognizing their worth above committing mass shootings. The film and its release strategy give no indication that people are capable of rising to the occasion.

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2025-03-22 00:54