Underplayed Gems

Magazine Dreams (2023)

Magazine Dreams poster
Directed by
Elijah Bynum
Genre
drama film
Country
United States
Rated
R
Rating
6.8 of 10 from 100 voters
Elsewhere
IMDb
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How it feels

A socially isolated bodybuilder with body dysmorphic disorder becomes obsessed with winning a top bodybuilding title. His aggressive tendencies and depression spiral, leading to a mental breakdown.

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What happens

Magazine Dreams is a 2023 American psychological drama film written and directed by Elijah Bynum. The plot features social outcast bodybuilder Killian Maddox, who has body dysmorphic disorder, and whose dream of becoming a bodybuilder consumes his entire life; his depression and aggressive tendencies consume him, and his obsession with becoming a Mr. Olympia champion brings him to a complete mental breakdown. The film stars Jonathan Majors, Haley Bennett, Taylour Paige, Harrison Page, Harriet Sansom Harris, and Mike O'Hearn. The film had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 20, 2023. Originally slated to be released theatrically on December 8, 2023, by Searchlight Pictures, the film was removed from its release schedule and dropped by the distributor, in response to both the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike and controversies surrounding Majors. Briarcliff Entertainment later acquired domestic distribution rights to it, and the film was finally released on March 21, 2025 to positive critical reception. (from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)

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