SummaryJulian Sklar (Ian McKellen) was once a star of London’s 1960’s and 70’s pop art explosion, but he hasn’t painted in decades and has been broke for years. His two estranged children (James Corden, Jessica Gunning), desperate for an inheritance, hire Lori, an art restorer and former forger (Michaela Coel), to pose as a prospective assistant in orde... Read More
Directed By:Steven Soderbergh
Written By:Ed Solomon
The Christophers
Metascore
Generally Favorable
79
User score
Mixed or Average
6.0
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Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
79
88% Positive
37 Reviews
37 Reviews
12% Mixed
5 Reviews
5 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
May 14, 2026
100
The double act of McKellen and Coel has the onscreen chemistry of the year.
Apr 15, 2026
88
McKellen and Coel give a master class in line readings throughout “The Christophers.” It’s a real pleasure watching two seasoned actors bounce off each other in service to creating their characters. It’s even more delightful to see this in a film made for adults that has plenty to say about human nature, love, and the inspirations that fuel our lives.
User score
Mixed or Average
6.0
61% Positive
14 Ratings
14 Ratings
13% Mixed
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
26% Negative
6 Ratings
6 Ratings
Apr 27, 2026
9
As the film starts, an art conservator (Michaela Coel) is hired by the offspring of a famous artist (Ian McKellen) to access the remaining titular paintings in his attic. From his first moment, McKellan exhibits the charismatic power and utter delight that’s made him so enduring. He’s continually entertaining and funny. As his complete opposite, Goel manages to hold her own in what is basically a two-hander. Adding to the dark comic elements are the greedy children, beautifully smarmy James Corden and Jessica Gunning. Steven Soderbergh wrote and directed under his name, while shooting as Peter Andrews and editing as Mary Ann Bernard. His complete control allows for this intimate, mature, entertaining film, while poking some fun at the art market. Not only one of McKellan’s best performances, but one of the year’s best.
Apr 26, 2026
4
I had much higher expectations. The acting was good but it felt staged. And for a movie about art and artists, there was very little art.
Apr 17, 2026
80
As this legitimately clever story begins to unfold it initially seems like director Steven Soderbergh made a talkier, smaller-scale spiritual sequel to his Ocean’s 11 heist films. And if The Christophers was just a straight-forward thriller, and it would have been a nifty little entertainment. But screenwriter Ed Solomon repeatedly surprises us with one plot twist after another. He and Soderbergh really invest in Sklar and Lori’s twinned biographies of artistic passion and pain, until the film becomes far richer than a simple crime story.
Apr 10, 2026
80
For all the undercurrents about fame, commodification, and reputation that flow through The Christophers, at its core is a more plaintive lament about what it feels like to love something that doesn’t love you back.
Apr 15, 2026
75
Instead of settling for a tour de force from McKellen, Soderbergh goes for something better — a fascinating give and take from start to finish.
May 17, 2026
70
It’s a brilliant showcase of both McKellen and Coel’s talents. The contrast between them is rich and layered, down to the detail of costume designer Eleanor Baker’s choice of knitwear and corduroys in warm and cool tones.
May 15, 2026
40
There’s enjoyment to be had watching McKellen, 86, gamely pecking away at the role, snacking on morsels in every scene. If only he’d been given a fuller feast.
Apr 28, 2026
0
This film winds up about as creative as a dead pigeon that sadly became roadkill.
Apr 21, 2026
0
The genuine definition of boredom, the christophers leaves absolutely no reason for its existence other than to fill the void of trash forgotten movies
Production Company:
- Department M
Release Date:Apr 10, 2026
Duration:1 h 40 m
Rating:R
Awards
Sonoma International Film Festival
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
Miami Film Festival
• 1 Nomination
