MAGAZINE DREAMS Review

An amateur bodybuilder battles both the limits of his physical body and his own inner demons to gain recognition.

Saying this is a film to remember doesn’t do it justice. It’s a remarkably uncomfortable journey that must be seen as soon as possible. This is only if you want to see one of the best performances ever portrayed by an actor. Jonathan Majors as Killian Maddox does that and more. His role is beyond phenomenal. He raises the bar and sets a new standard for what’s possible for a respectable and honorable performance. Not only did Majors bring the house down, but he was also joined by a great writer/director named Elijah Bynum. Together, they created a masterpiece that focuses on loneliness and mental illness.

While the trailer suggests this film is about bodybuilding, that’s only a small portion of the film. It not only dives deep into what can be accomplished through hard work, but also how detrimental it can be to oneself if there are no checks and balances. As mentioned before, this is an uncomfortable watch that will make you shift in your seat multiple times. What helps sell the severity of the situation is the composition/score. It’s a mix between classical music and heavy metal. It’s smooth and soothing at times, while bombastic and chaotic at other times. These music moods are shared through Killian’s good and bad behavior throughout the film, leaving you to question yourself if he’s the villain or hero in his own story. The man needs help and seeks it. But what do you do when you seek assistance, and no one can provide it? What happens next is what this film explores.

The camera work is another triumph in this film. It either has long takes that never break away or is stationary in a car, capturing the best possible perspective of what’s going on on screen that you didn’t even realize you needed. You’ll feel both sorry and anger for Killian. The man is running around the city as a terrorist, but you still have sympathy for him. If someone can portray a character like that that’s loosely based on reality, it’s a true testament of how talented they are as an actor/performer. This film is a must-see, period.