The Looming Threat in *Magazine Dreams*
The film *Magazine Dreams* is centered around the anticipation of potential violence from its lead character, Killian Maddox, portrayed by Jonathan Majors. Early in the narrative, during a session with his counselor, played by Harriet Sansom Harris, the gravity of Killian’s situation is laid bare. It’s evident that Killian is not there by choice, as his discomfort and clipped replies signify his reluctance. The counselor highlights that these sessions are mandated for him to continue caring for his grandfather (Harrison Page). They discuss his hallucinations, migraines, and a troubling history marked by aggression, including a severe outburst toward hospital staff. In response, Killian diverges into a rambling comment about the difficulties of accessing healthy food in his area, lamenting, “No grocery stores — just junk food, food that kills you.” Though he is meticulous about his diet, his attention to health contrasts sharply with the steroids and coke he consumes, which only complicate his emotional unrest. Elijah Bynum’s film demonstrates how a solitary existence intertwines seamlessly with the bodybuilding lifestyle.
Intense Viewing Experience
Described as *Taxi Driver* for the looksmaxxing generation, *Magazine Dreams* offers an intentionally painful viewing experience that can feel as grueling as Killian’s lifestyle. The film’s lead, Majors, faces public scrutiny following allegations of domestic violence, which may deter some viewers. While personal choices about art and artists inevitably vary, the film’s narrative is challenging to separate from Majors’s real-life controversies. Initially discarded by Searchlight, the film was later acquired by Briarcliff Entertainment, known for investing in “distressed assets.” *Magazine Dreams* delves into the psyche of a man exhibiting obsessive dedication to his craft, which raises uncomfortable parallels to Majors’s own personal tumult.
Performance and Its Complications
The film prompts reflection on how we often place excessive value on transformative performances like the one Majors delivers here. Upon its debut at Sundance 2023, *Magazine Dreams* ignited a bidding war largely contingent on Majors’s potential for an Oscar consideration, given his rigorous preparation involving consuming over 6,000 calories daily and extensive workouts. Such physical sacrifices play a crucial role in awards campaigns, evidenced by the striking physique Majors presents as Killian, contrasted with his visible anguish. While the effort put into his role is undeniable and is showcased on-screen, it raises questions about the purpose behind such extremes. Although *Magazine Dreams* is competently directed by Bynum, it often revisits the same ideas repeatedly. By the film’s onset, Killian is portrayed as a deeply isolated character whose uniqueness, perhaps stemming from his mental health or background, limits the narrative’s exploration of his unraveling.
Killian’s Isolated Existence
In his spare time, Killian writes fervent letters to his idol, Brad Vanderhorn (Michael O’Hearn), and analyzes pornography while sipping protein shakes. There’s an ambiguous undertone to whether Killian’s obsession with the ideal male physique arises from envy or a deeper longing, accentuated by two awkward interactions with women (portrayed by Haley Bennett and Taylour Paige) that push him closer to a breakdown. His life is a series of harsh routines interspersed with episodes of fury or despair, yet neither Bynum nor Majors allows viewers to truly understand Killian’s internal struggles. Instead, he appears trapped and examined like a beetle in a display case—his pain becomes more of a spectacle than a subject of exploration.
A Reflection on Masculinity
*Magazine Dreams* examines the wrongs plaguing manhood today, but it skims over the depths of Killian’s turmoil, opting instead to illustrate the external signs of his detachment as more engaging. The film concludes with a resigned notion that the best society can hope for is that individuals recognize their worth and refrain from committing heinous acts. The film’s release provides no assurance that individuals can be relied upon to act with integrity.
