Magazine Dreams (2023)
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2025-09 to 2026-08
A socially isolated bodybuilder's obsession with reaching the pinnacle of the sport leads him toward a mental and physical breakdown.
The story
Killian Maddox is a mentally ill grocery store worker whose life is entirely consumed by his obsession with becoming a professional bodybuilder. Suffering from body dysmorphic disorder and struggling with depression and aggressive tendencies, Killian's pursuit of the Mr. Olympia title leads to a deteriorating mental state. While attempting to navigate a complicated personal life and a strained relationship with a local woman, his physical health begins to decline due to the heavy use of steroids. As he prepares for a major competition, his internal turmoil and external frustrations escalate, pushing him toward a breaking point in his quest for physical perfection.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Killian Maddox, a grocery store worker with body dysmorphic disorder, lives with his grandfather after his parents' death. His obsession with bodybuilding leads to physical ailments from steroid use and frequent emotional outbursts. While trying to court a woman named Jessie, his intense focus on his goals alienates her. After a series of escalating incidents—including a confrontation with a local painter and a car accident that reveals liver tumors—Killian refuses surgery to avoid scarring. He is eventually assaulted by a local man, yet still makes it to a competition where he passes out on stage. He later hides his deteriorating situation from his counselor. His life spirals further after he is fired and arrested following a confrontation. He eventually connects with his idol, Brad Vanderhorn, in a complicated encounter. The film culminates in a sequence where Killian fantasizes about killing Brad before ultimately choosing to abandon his weapons and steroids, retreating into a cycle of solitary training in his garage.
- First release year
- 2023
- Runtime (minutes)
- 123
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Elijah Bynum
- Writers
- Elijah Bynum · writer
- Cast and characters
- Jonathan Majors · Killian Maddox; Haley Bennett · Jessie; Taylour Paige · Pink Coat; Harrison Page · William Lattimore; Harriet Sansom Harris · Patricia Waldron; Mike O'Hearn · Brad Vanderhorn
- Genres
- psychological drama; independent; bodybuilding
- Themes
- isolation; masculinity; obsessive ambition
- Tone and mood
- psychological; intense
- Premise and plot tags
- bodybuilding; mental illness; body image
- Reception
- The film received positive critical reception.
- Reported review scores
- Metacritic · score: 65 · scale: 100 · review count: 34
- Production trivia
- The lead actor, Jonathan Majors, underwent a rigorous training regimen of 6,100 calories a day and six hours of daily training for four months to prepare for the role.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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