The Christophers (15)
Cast: Jessica Gunning, Michaela Coel, James Corden, Sir Ian McKellenGenre: Comedy
Author(s): Ed Solomon
Director: Steven Soderbergh
Release Date: 15/05/2026 (selected cinemas)
Running Time: 100mins
Country: UK/US
Year: 2025
Sallie Sklar and money-grabbing brother Barnaby approach gifted artist and forger Lori Butler with a proposition. They want Lori to take on the position of assistant to their cantankerous and aging father, celebrated painter Julian Sklar, and win his trust. The underhand scheme intends to discover the location of the Christophers - a series of unfinished portraits of Julian's mysterious male lover, hidden somewhere in a London townhouse.
LondonNet Film Review
The Christophers (15) Film Review from LondonNet
The passing of an artist often triggers a posthumous surge in prices for their work. Two scheming siblings bank on this so-called “death effect” in director Steven Soderbergh’s comedy drama, which largely plays as a two-hander between Sir Ian McKellen’s acid-tongued painter and Michaela Coel’s assistant, who has wormed her way into his home under false pretences. Screenwriter Ed Solomon arms the actors with a colourful array of zinging one-liners as their bruising battle of wits unexpectedly sows seeds of a touching friendship…
Sallie Sklar (Jessica Gunning) and money-grabbing brother Barnaby (James Corden) approach gifted artist and forger Lori Butler (Coel) with a proposition. They want Lori to take on the position of assistant to their cantankerous and aging father, celebrated painter Julian Sklar (McKellen), and win his trust. The underhand scheme intends to discover the location of the Christophers – a series of unfinished portraits of Julian’s mysterious male lover (Ferdy Roberts), hidden somewhere in a London townhouse. Once Lori has found the canvasses, Sallie and Barnaby want their willing accomplice to complete the pictures in secret, mimicking their father’s distinctive aesthetic. The portraits will be sold for a small fortune once Julian has shuffled his mortal coil.
Lori has history with Julian – he was an acerbic judge on a TV talent show that crushed her artistic dreams – so she is glad to exact long overdue revenge by aiding the duplicitous siblings. However, Julian is far wiser than he likes to let on and once he senses Lori’s intentions are less than honourable, he engineers his own cunning plan to reduce his ungrateful children’s inheritance to ashes.
The Christophers is a quiet and assured crime caper that charms by stealth, relying heavily on two terrific performances to elevate a linear plot. McKellen clearly relishes the sardonic dialogue (“I was once in a throuple… back when it was called infidelity”) and he has a discernible twinkle in his eye as his curmudgeon intentionally exasperates everyone in his orbit. Coel is a worthy foil and Soderbergh’s picture is at its most satisfying when the filmmaker treats the camera as a silent witness to a seesawing power dynamic between characters who have more in common that they wish to admit.
Soderbergh has a long and illustrious rap sheet when it comes to engineering heists including Out Of Sight, Ocean’s Eleven and its sequels, and Lucky Logan. His latest exercise in feel good larceny is less flashy and lacks an ingenious final reel twist: characters’ intentions are clearly telegraphed on screen – allowing focus to remain on the leads as they volley barbs back and forth. Solomon’s script ultimately paints itself into a corner but it is a cosy and comforting nook.
– Jo Planter
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London Cinemas Showing The Christophers
From: Friday 12th June
To: Thursday 25th June
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UK and Irish Cinemas Showing The Christophers
From: Friday 12th June
To: Thursday 25th June
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