Magazine Dreams is a 2023 American drama film written and directed by Elijah Bynum. The film stars Jonathan Majors, Haley Bennett, Taylour Paige, Mike O'Hearn, Harrison Page, and Harriet Sansom Harris.
| Magazine Dreams | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Elijah Bynum |
| Written by | Elijah Bynum |
| Produced by |
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| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Adam Arkapaw |
| Edited by | Jon Otazua |
| Music by | Jason Hill |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | Briarcliff Entertainment |
Release dates |
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Running time | 124 minutes[1] |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Magazine Dreams had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 20, 2023, to positive reviews. 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 assault charges against Majors. Briarcliff Entertainment later acquired domestic distribution rights to it, and plans to release the film in 2025.
Premise
editMagazine Dreams follows aspiring bodybuilder Killian Maddox (Majors), who struggles to find human connection in this exploration of celebrity and violence. Nothing deters him from his fiercely protected dream of superstardom, not even the doctors who warn him of the permanent damage he causes to himself with his quest.[2]
Cast
edit- Jonathan Majors as Killian Maddox, an aspiring bodybuilder who struggles to find human connection in this exploration of celebrity and violence. In preparation for the role, Majors ate 6,100 calories a day for four months and trained for six hours every day to obtain and maintain the extreme muscular physique of his role.[3]
- Haley Bennett as Jessie, a grocery store worker and Killian's love-interest
- Taylour Paige as Pink Coat, a prostitute
- Mike O'Hearn as Brad Vanderhorn, a professional bodybuilder and Killian's idol
- Harrison Page as William Lattimore, Killian's grandfather
- Harriet Sansom Harris as Killian's counselor
- Bradley Stryker as Ken Donaghue, a roofing and plumbing worker who assaults Killian
- Dan Donahue as Dr. Prescott, Killian's doctor
- Craig Cackowski as a bodybuilding contest judge who placed Killian poorly
- Andrea Figliomeni as waitress who tells Killian his date had to leave
- David Maurice Johnson as the Head Judge of the regional bodybuilding competition
Production
editIn October 2021, Jonathan Majors joined the cast of the film, with Elijah Bynum directing from a screenplay he wrote, with Majors also serving as an executive producer, and Jennifer Fox and Dan Gilroy serving as producers.[4] In July 2022, Haley Bennett, Taylour Paige and Mike O'Hearn joined the cast of the film.[5]
Release
editMagazine Dreams had its world premiere at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival on January 20, 2023.[6] For the premiere, the production team declined to provide a open captioned print of the film, and the alternate seat-side captioning device provided to juror Marlee Matlin malfunctioned, thus the jurors collectively walked out of the initial screening in support of Matlin's inability to watch it. According to a statement from Sundance, the device was repaired and the jurors were able to screen the film later, as a group.[7] The following month, Searchlight Pictures acquired distribution rights to the film, beating out bidders including Neon, Sony Pictures Classics and HBO.[2]
The film was originally scheduled to be released theatrically on December 8, 2023,[8] but in October 2023, Searchlight's parent, Walt Disney Studios, removed the film from its release schedule in response to both the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike and assault allegations against Majors.[9][10] Following Majors' conviction for assault and harassment in December of that year, The Hollywood Reporter said it was "unlikely" that Searchlight would still release the film, either theatrically or direct-to-streaming.[11]
In January 2024, it was reported that Searchlight had quietly returned the film rights to the filmmakers, so they could shop it to other distributors.[12] In October 2024, Briarcliff Entertainment acquired domestic distribution rights to the film, planning to release it in the first quarter of 2025.[13]
Reception
editOn the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 84% of 92 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.10/10. The website's consensus reads: "Its dramatic form may get a little wobbly during certain reps, but Jonathan Majors' incredibly committed performance makes Magazine Dreams well worth a watch."[14] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 72 out of 100, based on 22 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[15]
References
edit- ^ "Magazine Dreams". Sundance Film Festival. Archived from the original on January 12, 2023. Retrieved January 9, 2023.
- ^ a b Fleming, Mike Jr. (February 14, 2023). "Searchlight Pictures Muscling Deal For Elijah Bynum's 'Magazine Dreams,' Sundance Pic With Tour De Force Jonathan Majors Performance". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
- ^ Sharf, Zack (January 21, 2023). "Jonathan Majors Ate 6,100 Calories a Day for Four Months to Transform Into a Bodybuilder for 'Magazine Dreams'". Variety. Archived from the original on January 22, 2023. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (October 21, 2021). "Jonathan Majors To Star in 'Magazine Dreams' With Jennifer Fox And Dan Gilroy Producing". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on January 9, 2023. Retrieved January 9, 2023.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (July 6, 2022). "Taylour Paige & Haley Bennett Join Jonathan Majors In 'Magazine Dreams'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on January 9, 2023. Retrieved January 9, 2023.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony; Patten, Dominic (December 7, 2022). "Sundance Film Festival Lineup Set With Ukraine War, Little Richard, Michael J. Fox, Judy Blume Docs; Pics With Anne Hathaway, Emilia Clarke, Jonathan Majors; More". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on January 29, 2023. Retrieved January 9, 2023.
- ^ Siegel, Tatiana; Donnelly, Matt; Lang, Brent (January 21, 2023). "Sundance Jury Walks Out of 'Magazine Dreams' Premiere After Festival Fails to Provide Captioning for Juror Marlee Matlin (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on January 22, 2023. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (March 24, 2023). "Searchlight Sets December Release For Jonathan Majors Sundance Title 'Magazine Dreams'". Deadline. Archived from the original on March 24, 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
- ^ Lang, Brent (October 27, 2023). "Disney's Live-Action 'Snow White' Delays to 2025, Jonathan Majors' 'Magazine Dreams' Pulled Off Calendar". Variety. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
- ^ McClintock, Pamela (October 27, 2023). "Disney Delays 'Snow White' and 'Elio' a Year, Removes Jonathan Majors' 'Magazine Dreams' From Calendar". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
- ^ Couch, Aaron; McClintock, Pamela (January 10, 2024). "Jonathan Majors' 'Magazine Dreams' Unlikely to Get Searchlight Release After Star's Conviction". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
- ^ Kit, Borys; Couch, Aaron (January 16, 2024). "Jonathan Majors' 'Magazine Dreams' Leaves Searchlight as Filmmakers Shop for New Home (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on January 17, 2024. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
- ^ Fleming, Mike Jr (October 2, 2024). "Briarcliff Gives Jonathan Majors Sundance Drama 'Magazine Dreams' Chance To Flex On Big Screen". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
- ^ "Magazine Dreams". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
- ^ "Magazine Dreams". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
