Briarcliff Entertainment has released the first official clip of Magazine Dreams, starring Jonathan Majors in what is being described as a career-defining performance. Set to premiere in theaters on March 21, the film tells the gritty, emotional, and psychologically intense story of an aspiring bodybuilder whose pursuit of greatness teeters on the edge of obsession.
In the newly released clip, Majors’ character, Killian Maddox, is seen recording a ‘home video’ wearing nothing but his underwear. He passionately details the four S’s of bodybuilding, discusses various muscle groups, and demonstrates classic bodybuilding poses. As he flexes and critiques his own physique, the intensity in his voice and movements foreshadow the mental and physical turmoil that consumes his character.
The scene shows Majors’ meticulous transformation, not only in his physical form—where he bulked up to extreme proportions—but also in his acting, which channels the internal struggles of an athlete on the brink of self-destruction.
Written and directed by Elijah Bynum, Magazine Dreams follows Killian Maddox, an amateur bodybuilder whose singular ambition is to be on the cover of a prestigious bodybuilding magazine. In his relentless quest for perfection, Killian battles loneliness, emotional instability, and physical extremes, all while caring for his aging grandfather. His life is dominated by grueling workouts, consuming extraordinary amounts of calories, and injecting steroids to sculpt his ideal physique.
Despite his dedication, Killian struggles to find validation in a world that constantly rejects him. As the mental and physical toll of his obsession intensifies, his journey takes a dark turn, leading him toward the dangerous intersection of ambition and self-destruction.
Majors, who has delivered standout performances in Lovecraft Country, Creed III, and The Harder They Fall, takes on his most physically demanding role yet in Magazine Dreams. His gritty and emotionally raw portrayal of Killian Maddox stunned audiences at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival, where the film earned critical acclaim for its unflinching look at masculinity, mental health, and society’s unrealistic standards of perfection.
Ever since Magazine Dreams debuted at Sundance, there has been significant awards season buzz surrounding Majors’ performance.
Check out the intense first look at Magazine Dreams below.
