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The Christophers

Play trailer 2:09 Poster for The Christophers R Now Playing 1h 40m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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97% Tomatometer 118 Reviews 87% Popcornmeter 100+ Verified Ratings
Desperate for an inheritance, two siblings conspire to forge their father's unfinished paintings so they become valuable after his death.

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The Christophers

The Christophers

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Critics Consensus

A sly caper carried off with director Steven Soderbergh's characteristic panache, The Christophers is a superb two-hander featuring Ian McKellen and Michaela Coel at their very best.

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Critics Reviews

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Adam Kempenaar Filmspotting 21h
4/5
That's what makes [Coel] such a foil for McKellen's Julian here. She's so composed. She's so still... She studies Julian, not like a painter... but like a painting. Go to Full Review
Taryn McFadden Chicago Reader 6d
Much like a pivotal painting of Lori’s, the more time you squint at the existential musings tucked into The Christophers, the more there is to see. Go to Full Review
Max Weiss Baltimore Magazine Apr 23
3/4
I had a blast with The Christophers. In the end, it’s a script worthy of McKellen’s gifts—which, in turn, makes it a gift to us all. Go to Full Review
Jason Shawhan Nashville Scene 22h
This is a film that understands and loves artists’ spaces. Cluttered museums for an audience of one, these are the places we usually get to see only idealized versions of. Go to Full Review
John Paul King Washington Blade 3d
Smart and substantial enough to be satisfying on multiple levels, it’s also audacious enough in its murky morality to carry a feeling of countercultural rebellion into the mix; and that, in our estimation, is always a plus. Go to Full Review
Jeffrey Overstreet JeffreyOverstreet.com (Ghost.io) 5d
A-
Solomon and Soderbergh have given McKellen what may be the best exhibition of his talents we’ve seen on a big screen. ... And I doubt I’ll be more excited about another actor at the end of 2026 than I am right now about Michaela Coel. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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ryan j 2d Fantastic movie! They don’t make enough smart dramedies like this these days. Excellent performances from both leads, too. See more jesse v 2d A young very very patient artist works for an old British artist that has a rich art collection and listens to him ramble and each other calls out their bluff. Good performances but need action from the characters rather than speak art jargon. See more Brian 4d It was a little bit of a slow start , but then I really enjoyed the movie See more Robin E P 4d Art, like almost everything under the sun, has become something of a "racket" with quality/review/interpretation variations, etc. etc. I enjoyed the spoofiness of this movie very much with the serious undercurrent. Especiallly enjoyed the dig at Warhol. Michaela Coel was stunning and marvelous Ian M always a delight! They played very well together. Loved the ending. See more Jay D 4d Really walked into this just on the strength of Sir Ian McKellen and Michaela Coel. The sheer thought of the two playing opposite each other was an utterly distracting previously unthought of dantasy come true. I truly didnt know anything about the movie other than he was playing a painter and there were unfinished works. My husband thought it was gonna be some kind of hostage situation or something (spoiler alertnot really but) What we got was so much richer, subtler, painfuland joyous. McKellen just chewing up scenery while simultaneously not even seeming to act at all . Meanwhile, Coelunderstated to absolute perfection. You never knew really where she was coming from and the last 10 minutes just sunk you and uplifted youexperiencing it all with her she brought you on that journey. Not sure how many times I can watch this. Sir Ian was in his early 50s when I had just discovered him in my late 20s and has been my favorite actor since. Watching him play a man in his 80s (which he now is) as I enter my 60s this story was one I needed but I fear watching it too much will force me to confront my impending mortality in ways Im not quite ready for yet. See more Martin K 5d Very unique story with incredible acting. Ian McKellen is so "real", as if not acting. Michaela Coel is stunning in appearance and does a great job. Of course, Gunning and Corden were hilarious. Enjoy! See more Read all reviews
The Christophers

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Movie Info

Synopsis Desperate for an inheritance, two siblings conspire to forge their father's unfinished paintings so they become valuable after his death.
Director
Steven Soderbergh
Producer
Iain Canning, Jim Parks
Screenwriter
Ed Solomon
Distributor
NEON
Production Co
Department M, Butler & Sklar Productions
Rating
R (Language)
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Apr 10, 2026, Limited
Runtime
1h 40m
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)