-Written by Kyle Bain.
An amateur bodybuilder, Killian Maddox (Jonathan Majors), struggles with the hand he’s been dealt. Struggling emotionally, tasked with caring for his sick grandfather, and finding socialization challenging, he stumbles every step of the way. Magazine Dreams is Killian’s story as he attempts to traverse a world that seemingly attempts to cast him out at every opportunity.
Majors is a case of having to separate the art from the artist. With new information surfacing in the past few days, the likelihood that he will find his way in Hollywood and further is slim. I won’t go into this anymore other than to say: what a waste of talent.
Magazine Dreams is a film in which Majors is prominently featured, the main protagonist–but, in some ways, his own antagonist. Killian is a man struggling both internally and externally, forced to face the harsh reality of the world, but also his inner demons as well. An emotional roller coaster that sees Killian devolving and unraveling, meticulously, from start to finish, Majors is a tour de force in this slow burn of a film. Magazine Dreams blends innocence and complexity in ways that sees Majors manipulating his body and showcasing one of the best performances in years. I was floored by his talent, by his ability to create something so visceral and powerful from such a grounded and simplistic character. The emotional connection developed between myself and a character with which I have very little in common is a testament to Writer-Director Elijah Bynum for sure, but even more so to the prowess of Majors.
Bynum chooses to develop a film that is, again, simple–focusing on emotion and the fractured and honest trajectory of a tragic character. Like Killian’s mind in Magazine Dreams, the narrative tends to jump from place to place, to use dreamlike sequences to develop tension and a realistic film that often can feel like a fever dream. The film’s director of photography, Adam Arkapaw captures the true essence of pain and suffering throughout the entirety of this film. This duo of Arkapaw and Bynum uses light and tight, uncomfortable shots to create intensity and a range of emotions. The emotion is almost palpable as a result of the cinematography and accompanying aspects of the production, a quality that enhances this experience tenfold.
With juxtaposing storytelling methods, Magazine Dreams is both fluid and rigid, presenting viewers with a narrative that mirrors the unpredictability of the real world. There are glorious moments lamenting the harsh realities of this sometimes nightmarish world, but sprinkled in are moments in which there are glimpses of hope, of promise for the film’s protagonist. Shifts in lighting, again, helps to develop these tones and make its purpose known to viewers. The back and forth, tug-of-war like narrative is steeped so beautifully in realism, prompting heavy emotional responses throughout.
While Magazine Dreams is intentionally fractured to mirror Killian’s devolution, Bynum is meticulous in his attention to detail, in presenting the spiraling nature of Killian from start to finish. Nothing is out of place, nothing feels unwarranted–everything plays a role in this character’s narrative. Magazine Dreams is hauntingly beautiful–a venture into the world of discrimination and mental struggle like I’ve never seen before. This is a testament to mankind in both the best and worst ways, as Bynum captures truth so vividly that you’ll have no choice but to walk away from this film a changed person.
Written & Directed by Elijah Bynum.
Starring Jonathan Majors, Harrison Page, Harriet Sansom Harris, Haley Bennett, Michael O’Hearn, etc.
9/10 = DROP EVERYTHING AND WATCH IT NOW
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