Steven Soderbergh’s festival-praised comedy-drama arrives in theaters April 10
NEON has released the official trailer for The Christophers, the latest film from Academy Award-winning director Steven Soderbergh, bringing together an unexpected but compelling on-screen pairing in Michaela Coel and Ian McKellen.
The comedy-drama, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2025 to strong early reactions, is set to open in theaters on April 10.
A Forgery Scheme Disguised as Legacy Preservation
In The Christophers, McKellen plays Julian Sklar, a once-celebrated figure from London’s pop art movement of the 1960s and ’70s who hasn’t painted in decades and now lives in financial decline. Hoping to secure their inheritance, his estranged children — played by Jessica Gunning and James Corden — secretly hire Lori Butler (Coel), a struggling artist and former art forger.
Her assignment: finish a collection of Julian’s long-abandoned paintings known as The Christophers so they can later be “discovered” and sold after his death.
What begins as deception quickly shifts when Lori reveals the truth to Julian himself, setting up an uneasy alliance that turns the scheme — and family dynamics — on their head.
The film is written by frequent Soderbergh collaborator Ed Solomon (Men in Black, Bill & Ted franchise).
Festival Buzz and Another Busy Run for Soderbergh
Following its world premiere at TIFF, critics highlighted the sharp performances and character-driven tension at the center of the film, particularly McKellen’s layered portrayal of an aging artist confronting both legacy and regret.
The Christophers continues an especially prolific creative stretch for Soderbergh, who released multiple films in 2025 across genres, reinforcing his reputation as one of modern cinema’s most consistently experimental filmmakers.
A Big Year Ahead for the Cast
Coel, best known for creating and starring in the Emmy-winning series I May Destroy You, is also set to appear opposite Anne Hathaway in Mother Mary later this year and continues developing new television work across HBO and the BBC.
McKellen, meanwhile, remains as active as ever, with upcoming projects including a return to blockbuster territory later this year alongside additional film roles already on the calendar.
With its mix of art-world satire, family tension, and moral ambiguity, The Christophers positions itself as both a character study and a darkly funny look at ownership, authenticity, and who really controls an artist’s legacy.
The Christophers opens exclusively in theaters April 10.