Question 1

Is Magazine Dreams woke?

Accepted Answer

Magazine Dreams has a woke score of 77/100, which means it is heavily driven by woke themes. Psychological drama about aspiring bodybuilder Killian Maddox, a socially isolated man whose obsessive quest for magazine-cover fame and physical perfection drives self-destruction through steroids, rage, and failed human connections. The narrative structures around his internal spiral, family trauma, and pursuit of Mr. Olympia glory. The film visibly centers Black male identity, racial dynamics, toxic masculinity, and male entitlement, with critiques of systemic pressures on the Black body and links to gun violence and radicalization. Queer-adjacent same-sex intimacy appears in key character interactions.

Question 2

Is there DEI in Magazine Dreams?

Accepted Answer

The biggest factors in our score are Identity-driven story themes, Institutional / cultural critique, Political / ideological dialogue. Aspiring bodybuilder Killian Maddox struggles to find human connection in an 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.

Magazine Dreams

Factors & Ratings

Summary

Main Cast

Director & Crew