Show summary Hide summary
Griffin Dunne brought star power to The Christophers NYC premiere last week at Metrograph. The Steven Soderbergh film, starring Ian McKellen and Michaela Coel, just hit theaters nationwide. This darkly comic art heist marks Soderbergh’s return to storytelling magic.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Premiere Date: April 8, 2026 at Metrograph in New York City
- Wide Release: April 10, 2026 nationwide, with strong opening weekend momentum
- Director: Steven Soderbergh (Erin Brockovich, Traffic, Ocean’s 11)
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 96 percent from 85 critics surveyed
A Legendary Artist Meets His Match
Ian McKellen steals every scene as Julian Sklar, a once-famous painter drowning in debt. The 1960s London art icon hasn’t created a worthwhile painting in decades. His character’s desperation fuels the narrative brilliance that makes this Soderbergh gem unmissable.
Michaela Coel counters McKellen’s showmanship with deadpan restraint. She plays Lori Butler, an art restorer hired to forge her employer’s unfinished masterpieces. Their chemistry crackles with tension, wit, and unexpected warmth throughout the film’s lean runtime.
Griffin Dunne attends The Christophers NYC premiere with Ian McKellen, Soderbergh film debuts April 10
Amber Heard reveals her strategic life chapter with new family and return to acting
The Heist Nobody Saw Coming
Sklar’s estranged children hatch a risky scheme. They hire Lori to complete their father’s legendary but incomplete series of paintings. The plan spirals into chaos when Julian discovers the deception. What unfolds is pure Soderbergh, blending art world satire with genuine emotional stakes.
The film explores what happens when ambition meets integrity. James Corden and Jessica Gunning round out a cast that never missed a beat. Each character serves the larger meditation on artistic legacy and financial ruin.
Why Critics Are Praising This Film
| Aspect | Details |
| Critical Consensus | 96 percent fresh on Rotten Tomatoes |
| McKellen Performance | Oscar-worthy, critics say |
| Tone | Dark comedy with surprising depth |
| Audience Score | 6.8/10 on IMDb from 318 votes |
“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.”
– Rotten Tomatoes Critics, Film Review
The Art World Gets Its Due
Soderbergh filmed this story with his signature precision and style. The production design brings London’s upscale art galleries to vivid life. Every frame questions how collectors value paintings, how forgers challenge authenticity, and what artists owe the world.
The screenplay by Ed Solomon balances comedy with genuine stakes. Characters betray each other for money, redemption, and love. The film refuses easy answers about right and wrong.
Where Can You Watch The Christophers Right Now?
The Christophers expands across theaters this weekend nationwide. Major multiplexes and independent cinemas offer showtimes. Soderbergh’s latest promises to dominate conversations about contemporary cinema through spring 2026.
This is one of those films that rewards immediate viewing. The chemistry between McKellen and Coel, the clever dialogue, the art world intrigue. Don’t sleep on this one if sophisticated adult comedies matter to you.
Sources
- Time Magazine – Steven Soderbergh’s new film about an artist and art forger
- Rotten Tomatoes – 96 percent critical consensus with reviews from major publications
- IMDb – The Christophers cast, crew, and audience ratings
