By Maalik Hawkins
Trinity Times Movie Reviewer
Magazine Dreams may be out of theaters, but it’s well worth seeking out on streaming platforms.
Written and directed by Elijah Bynum, Magazine Dreams made its second big-screen release in March 2025, two years after premiering at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival, where it won the Special Jury Prize. The release was delayed by the 2023 writers’ strike and assault allegations involving the film’s star, Jonathan Majors.
This film is gripping from start to finish, keeping viewers on edge and inducing anxiety throughout.
This review will not delve into Majors’ legal situation or serve as commentary on the court case. However, I will say that watching Majors’ interview with The Breakfast Club convinced me to buy a ticket and see the two-hour film — which, at the time, was only playing at 10 p.m. on a Monday at my local theater. That interview gave insight into the mental and emotional space Majors had to enter to play the lead character.
Magazine Dreams is a drama that stars Majors (The Last Black Man in San Francisco, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania) as Killian Maddox, a man who has dreamed of becoming a world-famous bodybuilder since childhood.
The story follows Maddox’s relentless pursuit of that goal as it devolves into a dangerous obsession. He struggles with social isolation, family trauma and societal misunderstanding — obstacles that often derail rather than support his ambition. It feels as though Maddox is in free fall, barreling toward a dream that might break him. The question becomes: Will he land safely or crash?
Maddox is portrayed as a well-meaning man who wants success not just for himself but for his family. He works at a grocery store, trains obsessively at the gym and returns home to isolate himself, laser-focused on his bodybuilding routine. The only person who seems to understand him is his ailing grandfather, with whom he lives. Their conversations are rare glimpses into Maddox’s inner life — and stark reminders of how loneliness can consume a person’s humanity.
The film examines the themes of addiction and emotional isolation. Maddox’s most apparent dependency is on success and external validation.
In a world where many Black individuals feel unseen — especially in predominantly white spaces — Maddox’s story resonates deeply. His downward spiral is difficult to watch, a series of painful missteps that strip away his mental stability and self-worth. His denial reflects a broader human truth: When we’re constantly rejected or chasing something unattainable, we often cling to coping mechanisms that ultimately harm us.
The film feels like a pot of water teetering on the edge of boiling — and no one’s watching it. It doesn’t stop at the boiling point either; it shows what happens when the water is gone. That lingering burnout echoes in Maddox’s powerful admission: He’s simply tired.
Jonathan Majors delivers a raw, Oscar-worthy performance. Audiences are left feeling both empathy and frustration — wanting someone to reach out to Maddox before he goes too far. That’s the complexity of the role: a character both driven and broken, relatable yet unreachable.
Majors’ vulnerability in portraying Killian Maddox demonstrates his dedication and talent. He remains one of the most compelling actors of the past decade, and despite recent controversy, it’s hard not to hope for a career revival that allows him to continue delivering powerful performances like this one.
While Magazine Dreams had a limited theatrical release, it’s now available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV and Fandango at Home.
Everyday Moviegoers – 8.5/10
Critics – 8/10
Cinephiles – 8.5/10
—
Maalik Hawkins is a recent graduate of Trinity Washington University.